Daniele Orsato continues to show full trust in referee Simone Sozza, choosing him for the Juventus-Napoli match despite a turbulent start to the season for the referee from Seregno. Sozza, who has only taken charge of three SerieA matches so far, has been assigned to Inter-Napoli, Venezia-Lazio and Genoa-Venezia, with mixed results that have highlighted his management of game situations.
The first of these was Inter‑Napoli, where his decision to award a penalty against LautaroMartinez sparked controversy. Furthermore, disciplinary management and a possible handball by Lobotka fueled discussions between teams and fans. These controversies highlighted Sozza's difficulty in maintaining a balance between rigor and justice in high-profile matches.
Shortly afterwards, in the Venice-Lazio match, Sozza again attracted attention for awarding two penalties, including one following contact between Yeboah and Taylor. Orsato's judgment on the scoring of an intervention in the box was considered too harsh by some, but he showed a willingness to maintain discipline on the pitch. On this occasion, his management was more balanced than in the first two games.
The Genoa-Venice match represented a turning point, with a more fluid match direction and fewer controversies. Orsato expressed satisfaction with Sozza's performance, underlining that the referee was able to manage the match with greater calm and precision, reducing the errors that had characterized previous assignments.
With Sozza's confirmation for the Juventus-Napoli match, Orsato demonstrates that he continues to believe in the referee's abilities, despite the initial difficulties. The next match will represent an important test for Sozza, who will have to demonstrate that he can maintain a high level of professionalism and decision-making in one of the most anticipated matches of the season. If he manages to manage the tension between the two teams with balance, he will be able to consolidate his reputation as one of the most reliable referees in SerieA.