Antonio Conte and Simone Inzaghi have been suspended and will not be present on the sidelines for their respective teams` crucial Serie A matches next week. Both Napoli and Inter face decisive games that could determine the league champion, but they will have to do so without their head coaches.
The suspensions stem from incidents that occurred during Serie A`s penultimate round on Sunday. Conte received a red card during Napoli`s goalless draw at Parma, while Inzaghi was dismissed in Inter`s 2-2 home tie against Lazio.
According to reports, Conte was sent off after a heated exchange with some Parma substitutes. Following the match, he expressed his frustration, stating, “It`s irritating to work all year for a crucial game and then be unable to lead the team. I was annoyed by Parma`s time-wasting tactics, which are less common in English football.”
Inzaghi`s dismissal came in the closing minutes of Inter`s match when he protested a VAR review for a potential handball. The referee not only showed Inzaghi a red card but also awarded Lazio a penalty, which Pedro converted.
As a result of these suspensions, Napoli will face Cagliari at the Stadio Maradona without Conte, while Inter will travel to Como lacking Inzaghi`s presence on the touchline. The Serie A administration is expected to announce the exact dates and times for the final round shortly.
These suspensions add an extra layer of drama to what promises to be an exciting conclusion to the Serie A season, with both teams vying for the championship without their tactical leaders on the sidelines.