Marchisio: Napoli deserved dismissals

Posted Sunday, August 12, 2012 by Goal.com

Juventus midfielder Claudio Marchisio has criticised the rough-house tactics employed by Napoli, during the Bianconeri's Italian Super Cup triumph on Saturday.

Napoli duo Goran Pandev and Juan Zuniga both saw red in the second period, as they fell to a 4-2 extra-time defeat, prompting Walter Mazzari's men to boycott the trophy ceremony and decline receipt of their runners-up medals.

"They were marking us man-for-man in midfield, trying to get as many of themselves behind the ball," lambasted the 26-year-old to the Bianconeri's official website.

"I don't understand their protests post-match. If the referee had shown several more yellow cards for their challenges in the first half, there might not have been those sending-offs following the break at all."

The Italy international nevertheless reserved praise for his team-mates, who battled back from falling a goal behind twice in the match, to exact revenge on Napoli, who defeated them in the Coppa Italia final last season.

"We had to work hard for it but it was a good way to open preparations for the new campaign ahead. We had to dig deep to come from behind twice, but it was nice to finally settle the score."

The Old Lady will begin their defence of the Serie A title against Parma on August 26th.