Leukaemia fighting Bologna boss Sinisa Mihajlovic in furious on-pitch bust-up with his own player Gary Medel
SINISA MIHAJLOVIC showed again leukaemia has dulled none of his footballing passion as the Bologna boss had a furious on-pitch bust-up with his midfielder Gary Medel.
After intervening in a clash between ex-Cardiff star Medel and Lecce anchorman Panagiotis Tachtsidis in Sunday’s 3-2 away win, Mihajlovic ended up rowing with and grabbing his own player.
Former Milan and Sporting Lisbon manager Mihajlovic, 50, has been having chemotherapy after announcing in July he had acute blood cancer.
But pre-season training sessions were transmitted to him in his hospital bed.
He then took charge of their Serie A opener in August, before returning to the dugout in October and now this month.
And Mihajlovic’s dedication spilled over on Sunday at Serie A strugglers Lecce.
With the score still goalless after 39 minutes, Chile ace Medel reacted furiously when ex-Nottingham Forest flop Tachtsidis appeared to barge him over near the touchline.
The pair squared up, exchanging pushes and angry words.
Yugolsav-born Mihajlovic quickly came on, pointed for Tachtsidis to go away and then led the giant Greek off himself.
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But when former Torino and Sampdoria chief Mihajlovic did the same to Medel the 32-year-old objected, leading to a heated argument.
Mihajlovic was the more animated of the two, gesticulating with his arms, before officials finally steered him away.
But Mihajlovic’s fierce love for the game is one of the reasons Bologna players have supported him so powerfully since his leukaemia diagnosis.
Back in September they even stopped off at his hospital on the way back from an astonishing 4-3 comeback win at Brescia – which was inspired by his half-time phone call – to chant his name up to his window.
And Mihajlovic has always remained defiant about his condition and staying positive.
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He said after his diagnosis: “I have cried a lot on these days, but I don’t like it when someone comes and pities me,
“It will take time but I’ll recover. I always play to win, both in football and in life. I’ll defeat leukaemia.”
So maybe he might even see a row on the pitch with one of his own players as evidence he is gradually recharging his powers.