Italian Journalist Praises Referee Daniele Doveri For “Best Game In Serie A Of Last 5 Years” After Inter Milan 2-2 Napoli Draw

Experienced referee Daniele Doveri lived up to the billing in Sunday’s mouth-watering Serie A clash between Inter Milan and Napoli.

According to Riccardo Trevisani via FCInterNews, the 48-year-old delivered the best refereeing performance in Serie A in the last five years.

Inter and Napoli threw a spectacle at San Siro, sharing the spoils in an action-packed 2-2 draw last weekend.

Federico Dimarco and Hakan Calhanoglu scored for the hosts, while Scott McTominay bagged a brace for the visitors.

However, the game produced several controversial incidents.

Juan Jesus accidentally kicked Marcus Thuram in the chest early on but got away without a booking.

Despite the intensity of the challenge, the Brazilian showed no malice, giving Doveri no reason to sanction him.

Meanwhile, Amir Rrahmani’s cynical tackle on Henrikh Mkhitaryan in the second half warranted a penalty.

Though Doveri initially didn’t point to the spot, he changed his mind after reviewing the situation with VAR.

Riccardo Trevisani Praises Daniele Doveri After Inter Milan 2-2 Napoli Draw

MILAN, ITALY – FEBRUARY 11: Referee Daniele Doveri looks on during the Serie A TIM match between AC Milan and SSC Napoli – Serie A TIM at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on February 11, 2024 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Doveri’s decision to award Inter a penalty left Antonio Conte fuming.

Indeed, the 56-year-old manager had another outburst, forcing the veteran referee to send him off.

“Doveri stepped onto the pitch carrying all the pressure of a dreadful four-month period for refereeing and delivered a performance worthy of a Champions League quarter-final,” Trevisani stated.

“With his body language and authority, he made it clear to the players that they were there simply to play football.

“In the first half, he whistled just four fouls – an incredible thing. The theatrics disappeared; it felt like a Premier League match.

“It was a fantastic game thanks to Inter and Napoli, but it wouldn’t have been this good without Doveri.

“His decision to manage the match without relying on cards was that of a referee with real guts.

“The refereeing profession was effectively playing an entire season on Sunday.

“And this was a 9/10 performance – not a 10 because he missed the penalty.

“We witnessed the most beautiful Serie A match of the last five years.”