DTotD: Walter Mazzarri’s ‘deliberate’ red card

Category: Football

Publish Date: 12-08-2011 01:10 PM -0500

The rise of Napoli continued with a 2-0 win over Villarreal to advance to the Champions League knockout rounds and manager Walter Mazzarri literally had a hand in the victory. Early in the second half, with the match still even at 0-0, Mazzarri charged at and shoved Villarreal's Nilmar. He was then sent off and his team went on to score twice in the final 30 minutes.

But as Mazzarri says, this was all a part of his master plan. From Football Italia:

"We talked at half-time, then I gave them my input on the field in my own way, to unlock them and them play for Napoli."

This was in reference to when he was sent to the stands by the referee for taking his protests at Villarreal's time-wasting too far.

"After saying that we had to play as we know, I tried to shake them up a bit with this very significant gesture.

"Villarreal were wasting time, playing for a draw and for us it meant we would be eliminated. So I thought that my action could stimulate the boys in the end.

"I have a great feeling for the fans and my players, in that moment - with a push on an opponent that was wasting time - my players, maybe even subconsciously, picked up on this."

How many managers would shove an opposing player to jump start their own team? Well, besides Jose Mourinho.

Anyway, the dirtiest tackle didn't happen until after the match. Said Napoli's wackadoo owner, Aurelio Di Laurentiis:

"They soaked me in the locker room, as they're having such a party down there. I risked a hernia!"

It's just not a real party unless someone is risking a hernia.

Read more sport in Football