Napoli’s Champions League clash with Barcelona wasn’t just about football on Tuesday evening. The presence of several high-profile figures in the stands, including former club legend Marek Hamsik and European Super League chief Bernd Reichart, cast a shadow of controversy over the encounter.
Despite a goalless draw at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, the match was overshadowed by the off-field chatter. Coach Francesco Calzona, making his debut after Luciano Spalletti’s dismissal, had President Aurelio De Laurentiis watching his every move. Hamsik, now part of Calzona’s staff with the Slovakian national team, added a nostalgic touch.
However, the most intriguing presence was Reichart, CEO of A22 Sports Management, the driving force behind the much-maligned Super League project. His meeting with Lega Serie A President Lorenzo De Siervo earlier that day, followed by his attendance at the Napoli-Barcelona match, fueled speculation about potential interest from De Laurentiis, who has often voiced dissent against the league’s current structure.
While De Siervo reaffirmed Serie A’s opposition to the Super League, Reichart’s presence at the Napoli game served as a reminder that the controversial project remains alive and well, casting its shadow over European football once again.