Napoli’s head of the press office, Nicola Lombardo, spoke to Italian radio station Radio Kiss Kiss earlier today about the postponement of Inter’s Derby d’Italia against Juventus and the Partenopei’s desire to give priority to the league over the Coppa Italia.
“We are facing a worldwide emergency and we must respect the decision. Football is an industry that must be protected in any case. We think competitions are being distorted. Matches have been moved, it would be fairer to protect the league and the individual teams if Juventus and Inter play on Wednesday and the two Coppa Italia semi-finals are moved to May.”
Lombardo spoke further about this idea and how it would benefit both the Coppa Italia and the league.
“This seems to us the fairest solution, we try to distort the league less. It would benefit the Coppa Italia and the league itself. We are asking for the league to go ahead, the two Coppa Italia matches can easily be postponed until May.”
Five Serie A games were postponed due to fears around the spread of the Coronavirus, including the Derby d’Italia between Inter and Juventus that was supposed to be played tonight. The five postponed games have now been moved to the 13th May, the date originally set for the Coppa Italia final. The final will now need to be played a week later, on the 20th May, and the venue will be changed to the San Siro, as UEFA need the Stadio Olimpico to prepare for the upcoming European Championships. Inter are furious about the postponement.
