Tottenham were all set to take on Brighton in the Premier League, but before the action began Roberto De Zerbi and Cristian Stellini were involved in a touchline altercation. The two head coaches took part in the usual pre-match handshake but what happened seconds later was of significant shock to everyone.
The interim Spurs boss was full of compliments for De Zerbi and his work on the South Coast ahead of the game. The duo have a storied history first coming up against each other on the pitch in 2009, with Stellini playing on the left of defence for Bari towards the end of his playing career and De Zerbi a strong attacker for Avellino.
"When he was a player he was aggressive," Stellini said of De Zerbi. "I challenged him sometimes and he was really aggressive. He was a good No.10 striker. He was good technically but very aggressive in the way he played and also talented. I don’t know how he is like a manager.
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"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."
"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 said. "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 player to do it."
On De Zerbi he added: "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."
A glowing verdict from Stellini on De Zerbi made the latter's anger directed towards the Italian very surprising. Just before the two departed to their respective dugouts, De Zerbi looked annoyed at Stellini which included pointing a finger in his direction.
With Brighton dominating, but the game level, the touchline descended into chaos again with several members of both dugouts involved in a fracas. Referee Stuart Atwell then chose to show both De Zerbi and Stellini red cards once the situation had calmed down.
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