Serie A leaders Napoli were on the right end of two borderline offside decisions, the first awarded with the help of the video replay system (VAR), as they beat AC Milan 2-1 on Saturday to send their rivals back into crisis mode.
Napoli’s win left them with 35 points from 13 games, four ahead of titleholders Juventus who are away on Sunday to a Sampdoria side who boast a 100 percent home record.
Lorenzo Insigne, overlooked by Italy for the second leg of their World Cup qualifying playoff against Sweden on Monday when a goalless draw meant they failed to qualify, opened the scoring with the help of VAR in the 33rd minute.
Insigne collected Jorginho’s long pass forward, left the Milan defence standing and clipped the ball past Gianluigi Donnarumma only to see his goal chalked off for offside.
Milan were preparing to re-start with a free kick when referee Daniele Doveri signalled that the VAR was being consulted, and then awarded the goal.
Piotr Zielinski struck the second in the 73rd minute, beating Donnarumma with a first-time shot after being sent clear by an astute Dries Mertens pass as the Milan defence appealed for offside.
Despite the protests, the referee gave the goal without consulting VAR.
Alessio Romagnoli volleyed one back for Milan in stoppage time but it was too late to stop his big-spending side from slumping to a sixth defeat in 13 games.
