Calabria: I ‘apologise’ for clash with Conceiçao, ‘not a positive season’ for me

Davide Calabria apologised for being involved in a tense scene after the final whistle of his side’s 3-2 win over Parma that saw him and coach Sergio Conceição rage against each other with several teammates trying to separate them, explaining their confrontation came as a result of ‘high’ adrenaline and a ‘misunderstanding’.

Luka Jovic replaced the right-back after 77 minutes, moments before the game turned on its head, with Parma’s temporary advantage through Enrico Delprato followed by goals from Tijjani Reijnders and Samuel Chukwueze in stoppage time to seal a dramatic victory for the hosts.

However, instead of celebrating, Conceição sprinted towards Calabria at the end of proceedings and started to shout at him, sparking an aggressive reaction from the player and giving life to a heated clash, albeit without any contact between the two.

Calabria: I had a ‘misunderstanding’ with Conceiçao, ‘not a nice thing’

“Honestly, these are things that happen on the field: a misunderstanding between the two of us, we cared a lot about this match,” Calabria told DAZN after the match, as quoted by Milannews.

“The adrenaline was pretty high, and we cleared things up—we just didn’t understand something between us. We sorted it out; it won’t be the first or last time something like this happens. It’s common in football.

“I also apologise because it’s not a nice thing. The most important thing is the team and turning the match around.”

Calabria was handed a start against Parma after Emerson Royal picked up an injury mid-week against Girona in the Champions League, but he recently saw competition in his position further increased by the signing of Kyle Walker.

“It’s not a positive season like some of the others have been. There are situations, even personal ones, that no one knows about. I don’t really want to talk about them either.

“I want to finish this season in the best possible way for the good of the team, which is what matters most to me, even more than myself at times.

“Honestly, I’m focused on that, having grown up with this shirt. Then there are situations like today that can happen, but they’re part of the journey. It hasn’t been easy, but I hope it ends on a better note.”