Serie A: Referee Chiffi goofed on Osimhen, Pirola potential red card incident – CdS

The Nigerian international was a thorn in the flesh of Salernitana all match, crowning his effort with a fine second-half strike

Salernitana defender Lorenzo Pirola should have been shown a red card for a professional foul on Victor Osimhen in the second half of Napoli’s straightforward derby win on Saturday, says Italy’s renowned media platform Corriere dello Sport.

Lorenzo Pirola started the encounter as one of Salernitana’s back three which also included Norbert Gyomber and Flavius Daniliuc.

But the trio endured a difficult evening occasioned by the brilliant movement and intelligence of Napoli’s attack led by Victor Osimhen.

🔥🇳🇬 @victorosimhen9 pic.twitter.com/j2gu56nJHG

— Lega Serie A (@SerieA_BR) January 21, 2023

Both Gyomber (due to injury) and Daniliuc (late in the game) were replaced, with Pirola the only starting centre-back to finish the match.

But the young Salernitana defender, on loan from Inter Milan, was lucky to escape receiving a straight red card midway through the second half.

In the 77th minute, Osimhen spearheaded a potentially dangerous Napoli attack and would have been free on goal had he gotten past Pirola.

But the 20-year-old, the last man in defence for Salernitana at the time, brought down Osimhen to give away a free-kick.

Surprisingly, referee Daniele Chiffi judged the situation differently and decided to show Pirola only a yellow card.

Napoli did not dwell too long on that controversial call, however, as Luciano Spalletti’s men cruised to a 2-0 triumph over their local rivals.

Captain Giovanni Di Lorenzo and Victor Osimhen scored the decisive goals for the Italian Serie A leaders.