Lamela: ‘You’re not Maradona’

By Football Italia staff

Reports are emerging detailing the finer points of Erik Lamela and Pablo Daniel Osvaldo’s clash that led to the latter’s fine and suspension.

Osvaldo was reportedly angry with Lamela for failing to pass the ball to him during Friday’s defeat at Udinese and picked up a suspension and €50,000 fine from Roma for allegedly punching the young Argentine in the dressing room afterwards.

Catalan outlet El Confidencial are today running a report detailing the argument between the pair and exactly what they allege Lamela said that prompted Osvaldo’s reaction that he was subsequently punished for.

It is believed that Osvaldo was initially irritated in the dressing room after the match by Lamela ignoring his complaints about not passing to him and snapped, “I’m older than you and this is not River, answer as I speak.”

The former River Plate youngster Lamela reportedly then responded, “Shut your mouth, you’re not Maradona.”

At this point it is alleged that Osvaldo went for Lamela and gave him a slap - not a punch as has been originally suggested - before the pair pushed each other a few times prior to teammates intervening.

Further details are also reported on Luis Enrique’s stance on the issue. Despite the two players reportedly settling their differences before the Spaniard’s intervention and a number of their teammates including Gabriel Heinze pleading that Osvaldo was not punished, Enrique was resolute.

“The technical decisions are mine, so return to training and be silent.”

At Enrique’s behest, Osvaldo received the maximum fine possible and has been made unavailable for selection for next weekend’s match with Fiorentina. However, he did relent to allow the striker to remain training with the rest of the group, after initially wanting to have him train alone.

Watch Serie A live in the UK on Premier Sports for just £9.99 per month including live LaLiga, Eredivisie, Scottish Cup Football and more. Visit: https://www.premiersports.com/subscribenow