Stefano Pioli and Rudi Garcia cross paths for the first time since a run of tense 2015 Derby della Capitale fixtures, when the then-Lazio and Roma coaches called each other ‘whingers’ and ‘liar.’
They meet again when Napoli host Milan on Sunday at 19.45 GMT.
Garcia returned to Serie A this summer after experiences at Olympique Marseille, Olympique Lyonnais and Al-Nassr, having left Roma in January 2016.
The Frenchman has never lost to Pioli, managing three wins and a draw, with the last three being Rome Derbies.
There was a 2-2 draw in January 2015, followed by two fiery Roma victories that same calendar year.
The 2-1 result in May 2015 was where the problems really erupted as Garcia complained in his press conference that Lazio “won their last game with a goal that should’ve been disallowed after they went whinging to everyone about the Inter result.”
Pioli responded in his own interview after the defeat, sniping at the Frenchman for picking up bad habits.
“I was very happy to see foreign coaches arrive in Italy and thought we could learn from them both in terms of tactics and behaviour, but then I saw that when they arrive here they change quickly and become even worse than us.
“There was no need for Garcia to talk about us as a team that whinges. It was not fair or professional.”
The coaches crossed paths on the way out of the press conference room and started an argument in front of assembled journalists and directors.
“You are a liar, you of all people who talk about whinging…” started Pioli.
“Shut up, you are just a sore loser,” replied Garcia.
It was followed by another derby and another Roma victory, 2-0 in November 2015, and the two coaches have not met since.