Tottenham manager Roberto De Zerbi has revealed he kissed Rodrigo Bentancur in the dressing room despite the midfielder's red card during Spurs' dramatic 1-1 draw against Manchester United.
Dominic Solanke's 92nd-minute equaliser rescued a point for ten-man Tottenham, preventing their fourth Premier League defeat of the season.
De Zerbi praised his players' fighting spirit, although he acknowledged that Bentancur's confrontation with Luke Shaw went too far.
Bentancur sent off after confrontation with Shaw
Manchester United took the lead in the 73rd minute through Bryan Mbeumo, leaving Tottenham facing another disappointing result.
Five minutes later, tensions escalated following a physical challenge involving Bentancur and Shaw.
The United defender pushed Bentancur from behind, sending the Uruguayan to the ground.
Bentancur reacted by confronting Shaw and making contact with him during a heated exchange, sparking a confrontation involving players from both teams and their benches.
Referee Stuart Attwell showed Shaw a yellow card but dismissed Bentancur.
Despite being reduced to ten men, Tottenham responded positively and eventually equalised through Solanke in stoppage time.
De Zerbi praises Tottenham's fighting spirit
Speaking after the match, De Zerbi explained that he appreciated his team's response to adversity.
The Italian admitted Bentancur had reacted inappropriately but insisted that Tottenham needed players willing to show determination.
He revealed that he had kissed the midfielder in the dressing room afterwards, describing football as a game that demands character.
De Zerbi's comments were not an endorsement of the incident itself. Rather, he wanted to emphasise the competitive spirit his players demonstrated after the dismissal.
Solanke's late goal ensured Tottenham avoided defeat against Michael Carrick's side, providing a morale boost following their difficult start to the campaign.
However, Bentancur's dismissal leaves Spurs facing the prospect of a suspension for the midfielder.
Key Points
- Tottenham drew 1-1 with Manchester United after Dominic Solanke's 92nd-minute equaliser.
- Bryan Mbeumo gave United the lead in the 73rd minute.
- Rodrigo Bentancur was sent off following a confrontation with Luke Shaw, who received a yellow card.
- Roberto De Zerbi revealed he kissed Bentancur afterwards despite acknowledging his reaction was inappropriate.
- Tottenham avoided their fourth Premier League defeat of the season.
What's Next?
Tottenham will await confirmation of Bentancur's suspension following his red card. De Zerbi will hope the resilience shown by his ten-man side provides a foundation for improved results in their upcoming Premier League fixtures.
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