Overview
- Napoli beat Genoa 2-0 at Marassi with Kevin De Bruyne and Antonio Vergara scoring after Massimiliano Allegri's substitutions changed the game.
- Genoa coach Daniele De Rossi and chief of football Diego Lopez loudly condemned the opener as a clear foul on Johan Vasquez after VAR declined to intervene.
- Match referee Marco Di Bello allowed the goal to stand and officials described the VAR call as a 'decisione di campo', a choice that has reopened debate about how VAR is being used.
- Other opening-weekend results framed the start of the season: Inter beat Monza 4-1, Udinese drew 1-1 with Como, and Cagliari won 1-0 at Parma.
- The controversy places pressure on the new referees’ chief Daniele Orsato and could shape how clubs press for changes to VAR rules and referee oversight in the coming weeks.