Sam Beukema Faces Italian Media Backlash After Napoli’s 3-3 Draw With Roma
Sam Beukema has become the focus of intense criticism in Italy after Napoli surrendered a two-goal advantage to draw 3-3 with AS Roma in a dramatic Serie A encounter. The Dutch defender entered the match as a second-half substitute, but several Italian outlets argued that his performance failed to steady Napoli’s defence as Roma fought their way back into the contest.
While the result was shaped by a series of events across the match, the sharpest scrutiny has centred on Beukema’s involvement in two key moments: Matías Soulé’s goal and Roma’s late equaliser. Some reports described his display as a “disastro” — Italian for “disaster” — while others questioned his decision-making under pressure. The reaction offers a reminder of how quickly a substitute can become a talking point when a high-stakes football match turns on narrow margins.
Napoli’s two-goal lead slips away
Beukema began the game on the bench and was introduced in the 52nd minute, replacing the injured Benoît Badiashile. Napoli were 2-0 ahead at the time, and the change was intended to help preserve the advantage and provide defensive stability for the remainder of the match.
Instead, Roma gradually found a way back. Soulé’s goal reduced the deficit and gave the visitors renewed belief, setting up a tense finish. Napoli were unable to regain control, and Roma eventually completed their comeback with a 3-3 equaliser in the 89th minute.
That sequence made Beukema’s contribution a central part of post-match analysis. A defender entering a game while his side is protecting a lead is often expected to bring calm, organisation and clear communication. Italian commentators felt Napoli did not get those qualities from the substitute during the decisive stages of the contest.
Criticism over Soulé’s goal
Several reports focused on Beukema’s positioning and hesitation when Soulé pulled one goal back. TuttoNapoli argued that the former AZ defender gave the attacker too much room, while Il Mattino criticised what it viewed as a lack of conviction in his defensive actions.
These assessments point to a familiar challenge for centre-backs: deciding whether to close down an opponent immediately or hold position to protect the space behind. A moment’s hesitation can allow a forward to turn, pick a target or create a shooting angle. In this case, Italian coverage suggested Beukema did not apply enough pressure to prevent Soulé from influencing the play.
That does not mean the entire comeback can be attributed to one defender. Roma’s attacking quality, Napoli’s collective response and the match’s changing momentum all contributed to the final score. But because Beukema had entered with Napoli leading 2-0, his actions were judged against the expectation that he would help shut the game down.
Late equaliser brings the fiercest reaction
The most controversial moment arrived in the 89th minute. Beukema went to ground after slight contact involving Leonardo Balerdi as Roma continued its attack. Play was not stopped, and Balerdi was able to get into position and head the ball into the net for the equaliser.
La Gazzetta dello Sport delivered one of the strongest verdicts, accusing Beukema of acting as though he had been struck in the hope that the referee would halt play. The newspaper labelled him a “play-actor.” Other Italian reports also questioned why the defender remained on the turf rather than getting back up and continuing to defend.
Video assistant referee officials found no grounds to disallow the goal, and Roma’s equaliser stood. The episode has since become the defining image of Beukema’s appearance, with critics arguing that his reaction to the contact left Napoli short of a defender at a crucial moment.
In modern football, players are often encouraged to stay alert until the referee’s whistle sounds. Even when contact appears unfair, stopping to appeal can be costly if the official allows play to continue. Beukema’s decision to go down, as interpreted by the Italian press, therefore became as important to the discussion as the contact itself.
Ratings underline a difficult night
The media ratings reflected the severity of the reaction. Tuttomercatoweb, Sky Italia and Calciomercato each gave Beukema a score of 5. TuttoNapoli and Il Mattino were harsher, awarding him 4.5.
Calciomercato described his substitute appearance as a disaster and suggested that the defender had failed to repay the trust placed in him by manager Massimiliano Allegri. The outlet criticised his hesitation in the build-up to Soulé’s goal and characterised his actions before the equaliser as “quasi simulazione,” or something close to simulation.
Such ratings are snapshots of one performance rather than a complete measure of a player’s ability. Beukema’s challenge now will be to respond on the pitch, demonstrate composure in his next opportunity and show that the Roma match was a difficult episode rather than a pattern.
What the result means for Napoli
For Napoli, the 3-3 draw will be frustrating because the team had built a substantial lead and appeared well placed to take all three points. Letting Roma back into the game raises questions about how effectively Napoli managed the closing stages, including its defensive shape, concentration and response to pressure.
Beukema’s performance is likely to remain part of the conversation, but the broader lesson is collective. Protecting a lead requires more than individual tackles: the whole team must maintain its distances, track runners and avoid giving opponents opportunities to build momentum. Napoli’s coaching staff will have plenty to review from the match.
Any prediction about Beukema’s role in upcoming fixtures should be treated cautiously. One poor substitute appearance may influence selection, but injuries, training performances and tactical needs will also matter. The Dutchman could be given another chance to rebuild confidence, while Napoli may consider other options if defensive consistency remains a concern.
For now, the Roma draw has turned Beukema into one of the most discussed players in Italian football coverage. His response in the next match will be closely watched—not only by Napoli supporters, but also by critics waiting to see whether he can replace a damaging headline with a steadier performance.
