Juan Jesus says Serie A greats too tough for modern game
Napoli defender Juan Jesus believes Serie A legends such as Giorgio Chiellini and Lucio would "play one match and miss the next" through suspension if they played in the league today.
The Brazilian centre-back was sent off in Napoli's 3-2 win over Genoa after picking up two yellow cards, the second time the Serie A champion has been reduced to 10 men in a league game since the turn of the year.
Despite his red card, the 34 year-old will still be available for Antonio Conte when Napoli hosts Como in the Coppa Italia quarter-finals on Wednesday.
Napoli reached the last eight of the competition after beating Cagliari 9-8 on penalties (1-1 after 90 minutes), with the Serie A holder looking to add to its Supercoppa Italiana victory in December.
"I’ve lived through two different eras, like Daniele De Rossi [Genoa head coach]," Juan Jesus said.
"I’ve spent 15 years in Italy, even when there was a referee behind the goal line. If there are tools to help referees make fewer mistakes, that’s great, but from what I see, there’s a debate about everything: penalties, free kicks, yellow or red cards.
"We know the referee is a human being. Today, I don’t see any improvement in anything. There’s nothing but controversy, with us and with any other team. I think we’ve taken a step backwards instead of forward.
"Football is played with your feet, not with your hands. If every time there’s a contact on the attacker’s foot, even in midfield, it should always be a foul.
"If it turns into the kind of confusion we’ve been seeing lately, unfortunately, it becomes hard for everyone to remain passionate about football.
"I played in an era with defenders like Giorgio Chiellini, Andrea Barzagli and Leonardo Bonucci. I had the pleasure to play alongside Walter Samuel, Cristian Chivu and Lucio.
"They were all physical defenders who enjoyed contact. If they played today, they’d play one match and miss the next."
Napoli has not qualified for the last four of the Coppa Italia since 2020-2021, while it last lifted the trophy in the 2019-2020 campaign.
