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Complaining that a referee was the reason that your side slumped to defeat is very much seen as an English trait.
This perhaps clears up why Claudio Ranieri took to criticising a match official like a fish to water. The former Chelsea boss was somewhat displeased by Gianluca Rocchi’s performance during his Inter Milan side’s 3-0 home loss to Napoli.
“It’s a shame because we tried very hard but (the referee) messed up everything there was to mess up,” claimed Ranieri after the club from Naples had run riot at the San Siro.
So let’s examine the evidence. Yes, midfielder Joel Obi’s red card was a little harsh and the first half penalty that was awarded could be called dubious at least, but this column cannot help but think Ranieri was trying to detract the attention away from an inadequate performance.
If truth be told, the Nerazzurri got exactly what they deserved from Saturday’s encounter - nothing!
Napoli’s Marek Hamsik miss the aforementioned penalty, but Hugo Campagnaro was on hand to convert the rebound. Hamsik made amends after the break by extending his side’s lead after Christian Maggio had doubled Napoli’s advantage.
Long story short, Ranieri, banished to the stands for his moaning antics, can really have no complaints.
Inter are yet to score at home in any competition and languish one place above the relegation zone with four points to their name. The coach has plenty of work to do with his squad on the training ground and unfortunately for Inter fans, a push to regain the Scudetto from joint-tenants AC Milan could come too late.
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Talking of the Red and Blacks, their weekend was about as fun as Inter’s.
Massimiliano Allegri’s side slumped to a 2-0 defeat away at Juventus courtesy of two late fortuitous goals from Italian international Claudio Marchisio.
The three points has sent the Old Lady to the Serie A summit (is it the mid-90’s again!) with 11 points from their opening five matches.
Can they sustain it though? Well our money remains firmly with Allegri and Milan, but expect Champions League football to be winging it’s way back to Turin next season.
OTHER RESULTS
AS Roma 3-1 Atalanta; Novara 3-3 Catania; Cesena 0-0 Chievo; Fiorentina 1-2 Lazio; Lecce 0-2 Cagliari; Palermo 2-0 Siena; Parma 3-1 Genoa; Udinese 2-0 Bologna.
