Giovanni Manna blasts VAR as Atalanta fight back to beat Napoli in Serie A
By
SABC Sport
23rd February 2026
SSC Napoli director Giovanni Manna has launched a furious attack on the officials after his side's 2-1 defeat to Atalanta BC in Bergamo, describing the decision to disallow a second-half goal as "absurd" and "embarrassing".
Napoli had taken the lead in the 18th minute when a precise free-kick from Miguel Gutierrez found Sam Beukema unmarked inside the box, and the defender headed home from close range for his second Serie A goal of the season.
The visitors looked in control and thought they had a chance to double their lead before half-time when Rasmus Hojlund went down under pressure from Isak Hien. Referee Daniele Chiffi initially awarded a penalty, only to overturn the decision after a VAR review.
The controversy deepened just 23 seconds into the second half. Gutierrez appeared to have made it 2-0, but the goal was ruled out for a foul by Hojlund on Hien in the build-up. Manna could not hide his anger.
"It is impossible to comment on this," he told DAZN. "The penalty is revoked after VAR intervenes, but then there is no VAR check on the second incident. Where is the foul? It's embarrassing.
"We didn't complain in Turin or Verona because incidents can balance out. But this is not right. We are fighting for a Champions League place and we see a goal disallowed over nothing."
Atalanta made the most of the reprieve. Just after the hour mark, Mario Pasalic headed in from a Nicola Zalewski corner to level the match. Napoli goalkeeper Vanja Milinkovic-Savic had earlier denied Kamaldeen Sulemana and later produced a vital save from Gianluca Scamacca, but he could not stop the winner.
With less than 10 minutes remaining, Lazar Samardzic powered home a header from a Lorenzo Bernasconi cross to seal the turnaround and extend Atalanta's unbeaten league run to nine matches, with seven wins and two draws.
"There has to be reflection," Manna added. "Every week a club comes here protesting. All we want is what is right."
The result leaves Napoli third in Serie A, their title hopes dented and their advantage in the Champions League race reduced. They now travel to Hellas Verona FC next weekend seeking a response, while Atalanta prepare to host Borussia Dortmund in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday.
