Bust-ups between footballers seem to be looked at in such a negative light these days, but some physical hustle and bustle here and there should be encouraged for the sake of keeping the game beautiful.
The beauty of football lies in the versatility it has to offer. Styles of play differ from player to player. Not only that, but they also all have different personalities and react differently to certain scenarios.
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Take, for example, a player like Gennaro Gattuso, who was renowned for his aggression and the way he clattered into opponents whenever he tried to win the ball off them. He became known for that, and the prospect of going head to head with him in a midfield battle might have struck fear in the players of his time.
What it also did was make matters more interesting for observers. With him riled up, it could result in some big collisions and a potential off-the-ball scrimmage, which spectators would be entertained by. His aggression also helped him take his career to another level, which some could argue would not have happened if he chose to let go of that side of his game. And if you observe him outside of the field play, you would probably assume that is just the way he is – his personality. Maybe a footballer just enjoys getting into a scuffle every once in a while because that's what he is like, similar to how Ronaldinho, Cristiano Ronaldo or Neymar express themselves through skill, trickery and flair.
Then you get footballers who just like to wind up other players, and why should we have a problem with that? It makes for an intriguing psychological battle, adding an extra element to the game. Not only that, but it makes matches a little bit more entertaining for viewers tuned in to catch the action.
Football has also gained a reputation of becoming too "soft". You would often hear rugby players poke fun at footballers for being mushy and falling down after receiving the slightest of contact. In the grander scheme of things, it deters many from watching the game and with modern football's emphasis on systems and patterns of play, an X factor or another element of excitement would benefit the sport ever so much.
The effect it has on those on the pitch is considerable as well. The rush and increase in heart rate that stems from some physical conflict may sometimes be exactly what a team needs to become re-energised if they were perhaps in a situation where they were losing by two goals to nil and were a bit low on morale.
Some pushing and tugging would rile up the fans and that could transfer over to the players. Maybe it would help certain players get into the game, as Roy Keane once said on Sky Sports: "I've often had it when I've not been at the races in a game, and I go: 'You know what, what I might do is go and smash into somebody.'"
When you put two players with that mindset on the field at the same time, the outcome is certainly memorable!
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