The argument between Luciano Spalletti and Paolo Maldini inside the tunnel at the Stadio Maradona during the break of Napoli–Milan has gone viral, but it was not the first time the Partenopei coach came face to face with one of his opponents.
The incident unfolded minutes before the beginning of the second half of Napoli’s 4-0 loss to Milan on Sunday. It all started with Spalletti reproaching Rafael Leao for his goal celebration. Maldini was a few meters away from them and vigorously defended his player.
It was not the first time Spalletti argued with one of his opponents. The 64-year-old is famous for his strong temper which, in the past, led to a crisis with his captains Mauro Icardi at Inter and Francesco Totti at Roma.
The Tuscan tactician is clearly even more hostile when facing his opponents. Football Italia looks at five times Spalletti came face to face with his rivals.
Massimiliano Allegri
The Bianconeri boss is seen as one of Spalletti’s biggest rivals. Last season, after a 2-1 win at the Stadio Maradona, the two coaches argued inside the tunnel because of some referee’s decisions and the Napoli boss looked extremely annoyed during a post-match press conference, where he explained what had happened with his Juventus counterpart.
“I wanted to greet him before and after the game, but he left. There was no tension during the game. I told him nothing. I always lost [against Allegri]. f***. I win once and he acts superior,” he said.
Tensions have continued this season when Spalletti said Allegri ‘has a problem with me’ and chased the Bianconeri boss for a handshake after a 5-1 win at the Stadio Maradona in January.
Fiorentina fan
At the beginning of the season, after a 0-0 draw against Fiorentina at the Stadio Franchi, Spalletti confronted a Viola fan who had reportedly insulted him throughout the game.
“Shall we talk about the rudeness of the Fiorentina fans who are behind the bench?” Spalletti told DAZN afterwards.
“There are some back there who offend you from start to finish. They have children sitting right next to them and I cannot even repeat what they said, it’s incredible.
“They start insulting your mother constantly, my mother is 90 years old, leave her alone. These people are professional trolls.”
The Fiorentina fans had even tried to punch Spalletti and has been banned from Italian stadiums for two years.
Duvan Zapata
Barely a month ago, Spalletti targeted Atalanta striker Duvan Zapata after the halftime whistle, while the two teams were heading to the tunnel. The coach was unhappy with the Colombian’s protests against the referee. “You are always complaining,” Spalletti reportedly told Zapata.
“You are always down on the floor, and now you complain?” At the end of the match, the duo cleared the air after Napoli’s 2-0 at the Stadio Maradona.
Journalist Raffaele Auriemma
Back in September, Spalletti argued with a local journalist, Raffaele Auriemma, one of the most known journalists in Naples, who had reported the coach was not on good terms with many players inside the dressing room.
“It’s the first time I see you,” said Spalletti during a press conference after a 1-0 victory against Spezia.
“You continuously speak about me. When did I argue with my players? Why? You said that and I can prove it. I can bring you the audio file. I’ll bring it to you, but now you have to reply to me.”
Fabrizio Lorieri
During the same Serie A game against Spezia in September, Spalletti had been sent off after a touchline argument with Luca Gotti’s assistant Lorieri that saw both coaches sent off.
Spalletti, who had already received a yellow card, celebrated Giacomo Raspadori’s late winner close to Spezia’s bench, causing his opponent’s reaction, and receiving a second yellow card that forced him out in the following match against Milan at San Siro.