Roberto De Zerbi and Thomas Frank get in a touchline scuffle which resulting in halting Friday night’s Brentford v Brighton.
De Zerbi blamed Thomas Frank’s touching of an opposition player for their heated clash as the Bees made the most of the buzzing atmosphere around the ground to win 2-0.
The Brentford manager could be seen tussling with Joel Veltman when the ball went out of play by the touchline. De Zerbi took objection and started shouting at his opposite number, at which point a number of players came to join in with the altercation.
Both managers were shown yellow cards but shook hands immediately afterwards, giving viewers Tuchel – Conte vibes, albeit not as intense. “Thomas, knock him out,” sing the Brentford fans. See what happened in the video below…
Roberto De Zerbi explains what happened on the side line between him and Thomas Frank 👇 pic.twitter.com/lmuXaaNf9U
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) October 14, 2022
The early stages had already seen Veltman appear to tread on Toney’s toe as they jostled for position from a throw-in, sparking a head-to-head and a bit of finger-pointing from the goalscorer.
De Zerbi and Frank were shown yellow cards after the Brentford boss got involved with Veltman while the Brighton defender tried to take a throw-in, with his manager then steaming in to defend him.
🗣️ Roberto De Zerbi to Thomas Frank: “Don’t touch my players”
My f*cking gaffer 😂 pic.twitter.com/TE0X1GD2G2
— SEAGULLS SOCIAL (@SeagullsSocial) October 14, 2022
Brighton defender Joel Veltman to Sky Sports: “We didn’t play bad even though we lost 2-0. Details. Their keeper had an amazing day. Sometimes you have to accept that. They scored twice. That was the difference.
“We knew it would be a more fighting game than nice football here. We fought well. Our fighting spirit was there. We could do more with second balls.
“A draw [would have been] fair enough.”
Brighton manager Roberto de Zerbi to Sky Sports: “I think to win the game you have to score. We had 21 shots on the goal but we have not found the goals. We lost the second ball too many times.
“About the game I think we played a good game but if you want to win you have to score. I can’t say anything more.
“We have had a lot of potential chances but many shots on the goal and we didn’t find the goal. The time, the last pass, the crosses, we made mistakes.”
On the importance of Brentford’s penalty: “It was a crucial moment but I had belief until the end of the game because one goal could have opened the game again.”
On his clash with Thomas Frank: “No problem [between us]. I don’t like when the other coach touches my player and when another coach speaks with my player because I never spoke with the other player from the other team.”
Brentford striker Ivan Toney to BBC Sport: “I’m just trying to do the best I can for the team and if it’s enough to get on the plane to the World Cup then so be it. All I can do is do my job and then hopefully it is enough. If I get to the World Cup then hopefully I’ll get some minutes there.”
On David Raya’s performance: “I felt like he had four hands, the amount he saved. Everybody put in a great shift. Fully deserved the three points.”
On the secret to his penalty-taking: “Just to compose yourself. I just relaxed and thought of something else.”
Brentford striker Ivan Toney talking to Sky Sports: “I feel good, I feel ready to go. It was unfortunate not to get on for England and I have to keep going.
“I don’t expect Gareth Southgate to talk to me about it, I am a man now.
“I don’t even know where I am going until I kick the ball for the penalties. The keeper tries to give it the talk but I just walk away, think of different things, like being on a beach with a cocktail.
“I decide where I go when I kick the ball literally. Wait for the keeper to move and put it in the other side of the goal. You are playing with the best of the best when training with England and I didn’t feel out of place. I feel ready to take my opportunity if I get it.
“I practice penalties in training every day, the goalkeeper must be sick of me.
“I see myself at the top, I see myself at the best player at the pitch. You have to have that mentality.”
This is what social media users said as Roberto De Zerbi and Thomas Frank get in a touchline scuffle halting Brentford v Brighton…
@Buttonnine: You toucha my player, I toucha ya face
@DeZerbiSZN: Thomas Frank is a cunt #BHAFC
@louisehersee: I do love RDZ for his reaction to Frank touching our Veltman 😁 #bhafc
@DurhamGulls: Veltman just out here starting shit then ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ #bhafc
@robbieblackmore: Frank is a wank end of!
@RichardHammon18: In other words, touch my players and I will kill you
@ChantalTaylor15: I’m proud of the way Roberto stood up for our players 👍
@jaykthunder: Fucking love this. Potter may have been an unbelievably calm level headed manager. But my god I love some passion. More of this please
@steviegates: How was that a yellow though? Frank and Veltman yes. De Zerbi? No chance
@BhaOllie: Brentford you may win this game but De Zerbi would absolutely clatter Frank in a fight so who’s the real winner
@BhafcMike: Love to see it
@helllolucy: Hahahahahahaha it was no Tuchel and Conte but juicy from Frank and De Zerbi nonetheless
@jaackr90: DE ZERBI GIVING IT TO FRANK, GO ON
@cgullman: Hang on, De Zerbi got booked because Frank is a weirdo bellend?
— Out Of Context Football (@nocontextfooty) October 15, 2022

You must be logged in to post a comment Login