Beaten 2-0 on Juventus’s turf on 2 November in Serie A, Napoli saw André-Frank Zambo Anguissa, one of their few players to rise above the rest, come off in the 79th minute. According to the Italian press, the Cameroonian international midfielder took his substitution badly.
Napoli fell on Juventus’s turf on 2 November, going down 2-0 in Serie A. On a night with little to cheer for the club, one man stood out in the eyes of the Italian press: André-Frank Zambo Anguissa, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport, one of the few Napoli players to emerge with credit from the defeat. The story is picked up by Areanapoli, which relays the Italian sports daily.
The Cameroonian international midfielder did not finish the match, however. Replaced in the 79th minute by the Brazilian Giovane, he is said to have taken the change badly, reports Areanapoli, relaying behind-the-scenes information from La Gazzetta dello Sport. For now, it remains a rumour.
An exit that went down badly
According to the Italian sports daily, Anguissa wanted to stay on the pitch. “Frank supposedly did not want to leave the pitch when he was substituted,” writes La Gazzetta dello Sport, quoted by Areanapoli. The same article offers a tactical explanation from Massimiliano Allegri, the Napoli coach: “Probably, Allegri thought it best not to take further risks with the game already compromised.”
The daily stresses how Anguissa is said to have read the episode: “Yet Anguissa did not take it well: he wanted to stay. He wanted to send a signal in his own way.” It sees a sign of commitment: “And gestures like that are needed to get going again: attachment to the shirt and responsibility.” This information remains at the rumour stage.
A tackle that sparked debate
The Cameroonian’s evening had already been a testing one. In the 11th minute, Teun Koopmeiners went in halfway up Anguissa’s shin without being punished, reports Tribuna. Referee Simone Sozza was heavily criticised for not sending off the Juventus player, highlight Tribuna and OneFootball/Juventusnews24.
The Napoli midfielder received treatment twice in the first half after the tackle, according to bongda24h.com. He then kept his place until the 79th minute, before making way for Giovane.
Porto to get back on track
Areanapoli presents Anguissa as one of the leaders Allegri has won back, a role that gives particular weight to the reaction reported.
Napoli must now bounce back in the Champions League, at Porto, according to Areanapoli. That European trip will be the club’s next fixture.