Tottenham caretaker manager Cristian Stellini and Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi were both sent off during an ill-tempered game in north London on Saturday, with tensions between the two Italians clear.
The match finished 2-1 to Spurs as goals from Son Heung-min and Harry Kane proved the difference, although the Seagulls could count themselves unfortunate over some decisions going against them.
Before the match had even begun the two managers had clashed, with a fiery conversation on the touchline as De Zerbi pointed his finger at his opposite number.
During the second half there was a tussle on the touchline between a number of coaches from both teams, and although Stellini was barely involved and De Zerbi wasn’t in the centre of it, the two managers were sent off as a result.
What caused that scrap was not clear, but asked about the beef at the end of the game, De Zerbi said: ‘I am used to always respecting everyone and I want the same to me.’
Stellini tried not to be drawn, saying: ‘I want to speak only about my team and the game not what happened between us and them on the bench. It was an important game and we beat them in their stadium. Probably every one of us was full of anger and tension. But everything that happened on the pitch stays there and it does now.’
‘I don’t like to be involved when there is a fight or something too aggressive. I’m quiet and focused on the game. I try to do my job. It is only two games that I am a coach. I’m Cristian Stellini and I am the manager of Tottenham so I only speak of that. That is more important than anything.’
On whether he will be amicable with the Brighton manager next time, Stellini added: ‘Of course. I am a friendly person. Football is enjoyable. You have to enjoy football and when you see something like this everyone can be disappointed at home.
‘I don’t like to show something bad. From me this has never happened. I want to enjoy and fight with my team. If I have power inside me I want to use it to fight with my team.’
What caused the initial spat is not clear, but it may have been down to some comments from Stellini before the match which suggested De Zerbi was not as tactically astute as his predecessor at Brighton, Graham Potter.
‘I met him sometimes but I didn’t speak a lot with him. For sure his results were every time good results. He gave to his team a good characteristic. He’s very strong in the way he wants to play,’ said Stellini of De Zerbi.
‘I think De Zerbi is not fluid (tactically) like Potter. De Zerbi is more a manager consistent in the way he wants to hurt the opponent. He is more focused with the ball and what they can do with the ball and being aggressive when they lose the ball. Potter was more fluid in the change of system but the players are smart to do it. You have to create intelligent players to do it.
‘Yeah he improved a lot. He has a great personality like a manager and he arrive here in a new country and quickly he put his sign on his team. That is not easy for everyone and De Zerbi show also in England, in the Premier League he is a great manager.’
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