MILAN, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 14: Adrien Rabiot of AC Milan reacts during the Serie A match between AC Milan and Bologna FC 1909 at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on September 14, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Roberto De Zerbi explains that Adrien Rabiot ‘refused to take a step back’ after an unprecedented violent fight with Jonathan Rowe this summer, leading to a move to Milan on deadline day.
Marseille coach De Zerbi confirms Rabiot’s move to Milan on deadline day was the consequence of a fight involving the Frenchman and Rowe this summer.
De Zerbi: ‘Never’ seen a fight like Rabiot-Rowe

De Zerbi said the brawl involving his former players was something he had never witnessed before.
“Never, and I come from the streets,” he told Corriere della Sera.
“It actually did us some good because the club decided to do without Rabiot, who had refused to take a step back.”
Both Rabiot and Rowe moved to Italy
Both Rabiot and Rowe left Marseille after the incident, and both came to Italy, joining Milan and Bologna, respectively.
Rowe moved to the Stadio Dall’Ara a few weeks before Rabiot’s Milan transfer, which was completed on deadline day.
During his unveiling press conference last month, Rabiot insisted that “nothing special” had happened between him and the promising English winger and insisted that it would be “nice” to see Rowe again in a Serie A match between Milan and Bologna played after the September break.
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