Adrien Rabiot and Jonathan Rowe, former Marseille teammates, are set to reunite in Serie A after a training ground brawl led to their transfers to Milan and Bologna, respectively. Despite the initial animosity, Rabiot has expressed a willingness to move past the incident, setting the stage for an intriguing encounter.
Physical altercations among teammates, though undesirable, have punctuated football's history. The infamous clash between Newcastle's Lee Bowyer and Kieron Dyer, resulting in their dismissal in 2005, remains a stark reminder, followed by their profuse apologies. Similarly, John Hartson's training-ground kick to West Ham's Eyal Berkovic in 1998 became legendary, with Berkovic humorously noting the precision of the blow. Even Robinho's sparring with Thomas Gravesen during a Real Madrid session in 2006 led to the latter's swift departure to Celtic.
However, few incidents match the intensity of the confrontation between Adrien Rabiot and Jonathan Rowe, the promising England Under-21 winger. This occurred in the Marseille dressing room following a frustrating 1-0 defeat against a 10-man Rennes side. The altercation was described as so violent that a young member of the squad, Darryl Bakola, reportedly fainted upon witnessing it.
Roberto De Zerbi, then managing Marseille, expressed shock, stating he had never seen such a fierce fight. Highlighting the severity, he referenced the brawl as being akin to a pub brawl, with a teammate losing consciousness. De Zerbi noted that French employment law offered two options: suspension or dismissal. Subsequently, Marseille opted for the latter, selling both Rabiot and Rowe before the transfer window closed, with Milan and Bologna respectively securing their services.
Remarkably, just a month later, Rabiot and Rowe are on course for a swift reunion as their new teams prepare to clash in Serie A. The incident undoubtedly adds spice to the upcoming match at San Siro. Furthermore, tensions are already simmering between Milan and Bologna, especially following May's Coppa Italia final. In that match, Dan Ndoye's decisive goal granted Bologna their first major domestic title in over half a century, securing them a spot in the Europa League.
Missing out on European competition was yet another setback for Milan, who finished eighth in Serie A last season. This disappointment played a role in the decision to replace Sérgio Conceição with Massimiliano Allegri. Consequently, a significant overhaul of the squad ensued, with 29 first-team players either sold, loaned, released, or retired during the summer.
Despite arriving for a modest €10 million fee, Rabiot, who allegedly accepted a pay cut to facilitate the move, is expected to make an immediate impact. His pre-existing rapport with goalkeeper Mike Maignan and previous successful collaboration with Allegri at Juventus position him as a key asset. Rabiot fondly recalled their shared history, emphasizing their mutual passion for football. He revealed that their communication continued even after Allegri's departure from Juventus and that they even met personally. Rabiot underscored Allegri's exceptional character and detailed how discussions with the coach influenced his decision to join Milan, particularly after the Marseille incident. He acknowledged that the coach's explanation of the club's vision ultimately sealed the deal.
While Rabiot and Rowe were initially unrepentant about their roles in the Marseille fight, Rabiot's tone has softened, possibly influenced by his return to Italy. His mother and agent, Veronique Rabiot, downplayed the incident, emphasizing the absence of serious injuries. Rabiot himself expressed openness to seeing Rowe again, indicating a desire to move past the conflict.
“There’s nothing special about him. We texted each other after he went to Bologna and I came to Milan,” said Rabiot. “We’ll see each other on Sunday at San Siro. It’ll be nice to see him. He’s a good guy. What happened in Marseille is something that could happen anywhere, but it didn’t change our relationship. I’ll be happy to see him, and I’m sure he’ll feel the same. We’ve moved past that episode. We’ve talked about other things, too. I have no regrets; these things can happen. Life can change quickly, and I think I left good memories in Marseille.”
Rowe's perspective remains undisclosed, leaving observers curious about whether the two have genuinely reconciled ahead of their anticipated encounter.