Napoli boss Antonio Conte was furious with the decision to award Verona a first-half penalty in Wednesday's 2-2 Serie A draw, asking if defender Alessandro Buongiorno should amputate his arm after being penalised for handball.

The Scudetto holders, who had the opportunity to go top temporarily with a victory, went behind early on through Martin Frese's first goal in Serie A, and their task was made even tougher when Gift Orban scored from the penalty spot.

That spot-kick was awarded when Buongiorno attempted to head a dropping ball clear and it fell onto his upper arm, with the decision made following a long VAR review.

Scott McTominay pulled a goal back, ending his longest run without scoring in Serie A since joining Napoli in 2024, then Napoli were denied an equaliser by another VAR call.

Manchester United loanee Rasmus Hojlund converted on the stretch, only for the goal to be chalked off when replays showed the ball had touched his arm in the build-up.

The equaliser would still arrive through Giovanni Di Lorenzo as Napoli extended their unbeaten run at home to 23 matches, but Conte was still displeased. 

While the former Chelsea and Tottenham boss did not want to be drawn on the controversial nature of Hojlund's disallowed goal, he was more critical of the decision to award Verona's penalty.

In his post-match press conference, he said: "Hojlund's goal was disallowed because I don't know where he should have had that arm. 

"We have to accept them and we accept them.

"What is Buongiorno to do with that arm? Does he have to amputate it? It becomes difficult, but we move on."

Conte admitted his side were not at their best in the first half, but he praised the way in which they fought back as the match wore on.

"In the first half there were two negative episodes for us, we could have done better.

"On the penalty there was a somewhat peculiar assessment... but we accept it. These two episodes could kill anyone.

"In the second half we were good at putting our heads on our shoulders. We had the strength to score two goals, and that's what counts."

Napoli's next match is hugely significant as they travel to face league leaders Inter on Sunday, with the Nerazzurri now four points clear after beating Parma 2-0 on Wednesday.

Looking ahead to that game, Conte said: "We will face a strong team that has made two Champions League finals in the last three years.

"We will go there with great desire and determination.

"We will do the count as always and those who play will give their best."