What We're Reading
Benitez: Refs Assist Juve
- Football Italia, Monday, January 12, 2015 4:47 PM
Napoli coach Rafael Benitez seemed to imply that Juventus would win the Scudetto this season because it benefits from so many refereeing errors. The Spanish coach was apoplectic after his team’s 3-1 loss at the San Paolo Stadium on Sunday because of the Bianconeri’s second goal, which was scored by Martin Caceres from a free kick. While Giorgio Chiellini was definitely in an offside position when the ball was played in by Andrea Pirlo, it’s unclear whether Caceres was as well before he bungled home what proved to be the winner.
Nevertheless, Benitez seemed convinced that Juve always gets these kinds of decisions from Serie A’s referees. “Juventus are a very strong side, but it’s not hard to see Chiellini’s white shirt and especially that bandage on his head with Caceres behind him,” Benitez said of the second Juve goal. “From last year I learned the phrase ‘it can happen’ – it’s always like that against Juventus. We were in the game on 1-1, but the offside goal changed everything and we had to chase again.”
He added: “We give credit to Juventus because they have quality and hard work, which is why they’ve been winning for three years and will win again. Our rage comes from the fact we couldn’t play on level terms due to these errors.” Pressed further, the former Liverpool and Chelsea coach continued: “I say that Juventus will win the Scudetto. After seeing so many Juventus games, that is all I can say. I am sorry for Roma, but I realized Juventus will win the Scudetto ...”
Juve stretched its lead at the top of Serie A to four points with the victory, as Roma could only manage a 2-2 draw in the city derby against Lazio.
