Strikers in the Italian top flight will have to get smarter following the introduction of a new tech put in place to check offside excesses
Super Eagles strikers Victor Osimhen and Cyriel Dessers are likely to be among the worst hit by Italian Serie A’s introduction of the semi-automatic offside technology, SAOT.
Italy’s football federation (FIGC) has authorised the introduction of the SAOT technology, the semi-automatic offside detection system.
The federation announced on Monday that the offside technology will be deployed in Serie A from January 27, the 20th round of the 38-round championship.
The Italian top flight will be the first league to implement the offside system, the same one used at the World Cup in Qatar.
“The Council authorised the introduction of the SAOT technology … following the conclusion of the offline tests currently underway at the IBC in Lissone,” the FICG said in a statement.
Aimed at achieving greater accuracy in decision-making for offside calls, the introduction of the SAOT technology will bring frowns to the faces of many strikers in Serie A, especially for Cremonese ace Cyriel Dessers and Napoli star Victor Osimhen.
Only Spezia’s Emmanuel Gyasi (13) has strayed into the offside position more times than Dessers (11). It could get worse for the former Genk striker with the coming of the SAOT if he does not get smarter with his runs.
Atalanta’s Ademola Lookman and international teammate Victor Osimhen have had eight offside calls against them this term, the joint 13th worst in the division.
Osimhen and Lookman are followed closely by two compatriots – Udinese’s Isaac Success and Cremonese’s David Okereke, both on seven offside strays.
The Nigerian strikers are, however, well compensated with goals.
Osimhen is the Italian Serie A’s top goalscorer with nine goals. Not far behind the Napoli man is Lookman with seven goals for Atalanta. Okereke has found the back of the net three times while Dessers has managed two strikes for struggling Cremonese.
