Napoli’s meeting with Frosinone turned on a penalty sequence that required both on-field judgement and VAR intervention, yet Feliciani kept a generally calm grip on a match in which discipline was not allowed to take over the afternoon.
A penalty decision that stood
Feliciani awarded Napoli a penalty after Hojlund had moved ahead of Cittadini in the area. The challenge from behind was not especially forceful, but there was contact and Cittadini had taken a risk by arriving late on his opponent.
The decision was viewed as a borderline one rather than a clear-cut foul, but sufficient contact was present for the referee’s call to remain in place.
- Napoli were awarded the penalty following Cittadini’s intervention on Hojlund.
- Hojlund had gained position before the defender made contact from behind.
- The foul was considered slight, although the contact supported the referee’s decision.
Palmisani’s save and the ordered retake
The initial spot-kick, taken by Hojlund, was saved by Frosinone goalkeeper Palmisani. VAR official Cosso identified that Palmisani had infringed the goalkeeper positioning rule when the kick was struck.
Under the laws, the defending goalkeeper must have at least part of one foot touching, level with or behind the goal line at the moment of the penalty. Palmisani had both feet beyond the line and then benefited by making the save, making a retake the correct outcome.
- Palmisani stopped Hojlund’s original attempt.
- The goalkeeper was found to have both feet in front of the goal line.
- Because the infringement directly affected a saved penalty, the kick had to be taken again.
- Cosso’s VAR intervention correctly brought the offence to the referee’s attention.
Discipline remained under control
Feliciani blew for 19 fouls across the match and issued two yellow cards, both to Napoli players. Neither caution raised significant controversy, and the referee’s disciplinary approach was considered appropriate.
- In the 79th minute, Rrahmani was booked after an imprudent sliding tackle on Bobcek.
- In the 85th minute, Badiashile received a yellow card for holding Calò and stopping a Frosinone counter-attack.
There were minor imperfections in Feliciani’s overall management, but the referee remained in command of the contest. The central decisions — the award of Napoli’s penalty and the subsequent retake — were handled correctly.
