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SOUTHAMPTON’S pre-season clash with Lazio descended into chaos when players from both sides brawled on the hour mark.
Saints aimed to step up their Prem preparations by welcoming the Serie A giants to St Mary’s.
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Russell Martin’s side took the lead on just five minutes, when Carlos Alcaraz set up new boy Ben Brereton Diaz to score.
Lazio levelled in the 32nd minute via a stunning goal by Taty Castellanos.
The match reached its major flashpoint on the hour mark.
Following a foul on one of his Lazio team-mates, Danilo Cataldi looked to confront a Southampton player.
Alcaraz, who spent the second half of last season on loan at Juventus, came steaming in to defend his team-mate – shoving Cataldi away.
Cataldi then appeared to put his hand on Alcaraz’s neck, with the enraged pair then exchanging shoves.
At this point several of Cataldi’s Lazio team-mates arrived to back him, with Alcaraz’s Southampton pals not far behind.
All hell then broke loose, with plenty of pushes from both sides – and a furious Alcaraz having to be restrained.
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Saints boss Martin stepped in to try and intervene, but was unable to prevent his Argentine star being sent off.
Lazio were also reduced to 10 men, with Alessio Romagnoli being sent off for his role in the drama.
Cataldi survived the incident without a red card, but was notably substituted just a few minutes later.
During the match, Southampton debuted their “bold” new third kit.
The pink Puma effort is described as “striking” by the Saints, who would have hoped for its debut not to be best remembered for a brawl.
Tonight’s friendly went on to finish 1-1, with neither side able to score after being reduced to 10 men.
After the match Martin – who SunSport revealed has recently started dating former glamour model Lucy Pinder – told the Daily Echo: “Well, I think two people set it off. One of ours, one of theirs.
“Then their guys end the pitch and so do ours. Their guys want to protect their mate and ours want to protect his.
“So no, I’m fine with that. I’d rather it didn’t descend into what it did, but I like the fact we were aggressive tonight and we managed the game really well for a young team.
“Physically, I thought we were really, really good. Last week against Oxford United, we lacked character, personality and aggression.
“Tonight we had loads of that, maybe a bit too much. But I’d rather the balance be that way than the other way.”
Southampton will continue their pre-season programme by facing Getafe on Saturday.
They will then get their Premier League season underway on August 17 with a trip to Newcastle.
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