Como knocked Napoli out of the Coppa Italia on penalties, edging a 7-6 shoot-out after a 1-1 draw at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, and Antonio Conte sharply criticised the refereeing decisions, arguing that several key calls went against the reigning Serie A champions during the quarter-final.
Martin Baturina had given Como the lead from the spot before Antonio Vergara equalised for Napoli, yet Cesc Fabregas’ side stayed composed in the shoot-out to secure a semi-final tie with Inter, progressing despite long spells without the ball and heavy pressure from Conte’s injury-hit squad.
Napoli’s coaching staff and players believed Jacobo Ramon should have been dismissed on 50 minutes, when Ramon held back Rasmus Hojlund as the forward tried to break
clear, and they also felt Ramon’s first-half yellow card, again for a foul on Hojlund, might have warranted a straight red.
Conte expressed wider frustration with officiating standards rather than only this match, telling broadcasters that complaints had become common across Serie A and the Coppa Italia, with coaches, players and supporters regularly questioning both on-field referees and the use of VAR technology this season.
Lets not always go and talk about referees, because theres always going to be someone complaining, Conte told Sports Mediaset, in quotes carried by Football Italia. Its certainly not a good season for referees and for VAR, I hope they can find something that will improve the situation. The fact is, everyone is complaining, coaches, players and fans, so the sport needs to step up and improve, because just as we improve our teams,they have to improve the referees and VAR officials. Its not good for football, its not good for us.
Full time Penalty heartbreak as Como advance.#NapoliComo 1-1 (6-7 on penalties) #ForzaNapoliSempre pic.twitter.com/kNfFJ7oDy5Official SSC Napoli (@en_sscnapoli) February 10, 2026
Despite the disappointment, Conte stressed that Napoli supporters should judge the team in light of a long injury list, with several regulars missing and the squad stretched across competitions while still carrying the status of defending Serie A champions in a demanding campaign.
I credit the lads, because it was certainly not easy to face a Como side with a full squad available, who had rested for 10 days, he added. We were coming off a game played against Genoa three days ago, which we ended with 10 men and lost another player to injury, as Scott McTominay is so important for us. I can only praise these players, because we are pushing beyond our current potential. We have very few resources available, which are simply nowhere near the ambitions that we shouldve had for this season. Were having an incredibly positive season, in the circumstances.
Napoli’s schedule meant Conte rotated where possible, yet Scott McTominay’s absence further reduced options in midfield, and Conte argued that the current resources did not match the club’s pre-season goals, even though performance levels in Serie A and the Coppa Italia remained competitive.
Como, Coppa Italia progress and Fabregas’ reaction
For Como, the victory carried major historic weight, as Fabregas’ team reached the Coppa Italia semi-finals for only the second time, matching the club’s 1986 run to the last four and earning a high-profile meeting with Inter for a place in the final.
It is a historic achievement, a positive time, but we have another very important game coming up on Saturday. We must leave the euphoria to the end of the season, said the former Barcelona and Arsenal star. It will be tough to shake off the adrenaline, but we listened to music for 10 minutes in the locker room, now we will begin preparing for the weekend, as we want all three points.
Fabregas underlined that Como would quickly switch focus back to league duties, noting that the squad enjoyed a brief celebration in the dressing room before turning attention to Saturday’s match, with the coach keen to use the confidence from this Coppa Italia win while avoiding any complacency.
The quarter-final leaves Napoli reflecting on missed chances and contentious refereeing calls, while Como look ahead to facing Inter after a rare last-four appearance, with both sides balancing Coppa Italia ambitions against league demands during a congested phase of the season.
