ANTONIO CONTE has shocked football fans after storming onto the pitch and accosting a player... during a friendly.
The former Chelsea and Spurs boss was overseeing a match between current club Napoli and Greek giants Olympiacos when scenes became unsavoury.
A seemingly innocuous ball back to Napoli defender Amir Rrahmani turned into a hospital pass thanks to the arrival of Olympiacos forward Ayoub El Kaabi.
As the Kosovar defender attempted to play the ball forward, El Kaabi challenged for the ball and cut across him, causing a sickening clash of boots and shoulders right in front of the managers' technical area.
Rrahmani went down screaming in pain from the challenge, while the Morocco striker walked the incident off with a shrug - unaware that he was being followed deeper onto the pitch by an incensed Conte.
The Italian attempted to confront El Kaabi, and managed to get within touching distance before being physically held back by the fourth official.
Conte's arrival appeared to ignite the volatile situation as a mob of players and staff formed around the scuffle on the edge of the pitch.
Security and Conte's own staff helped restrain him despite his efforts to slip away and continue confronting the opposition player.
Things eventually calmed down in the end, with El Kaabi receiving a yellow for his transgression and Conte being lucky not to be sent into the stands.
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The moment was a source of mixed reactions among fans, with some praising his defence of his injured player, while others considered the foul not to be so serious as to justify the strong reaction.
"Quite the overreaction from Conte," one X user commented.
Another user had a different view, stating: "If I played for Antonio Conte I’d take bullets for him."
Napoli would win the game 2-1, despite a 90th minute consolation goal for the Greeks.
Whatever fans' views of Conte may be, there is no denying the positive effect he has had since his arrival in Naples.
The 56-year-old took over last summer and immediately led Gli Azzurri to their fourth Scudetto, beating Champions League finalists Inter Milan by one point.
Conte replaced leaving superstars such as Victor Osimhen and Kvicha Kvaratskhelia with underappreciated talents like Scottish midfield duo Scott McTominay and Billy Gilmour.
But this season they will pack a little more star power, however, thanks to the arrival of Kevin De Bruyne following the end of his contract at Man City.