Sampdoria coach Walter Mazzarri has played down a touchline row with striker Vincenzo Montella during Sunday's 0-0 derby draw with Genoa.

Montella was replaced by debutant Antonio Cassano late on and reacted angrily to the decision after his recent form, but Mazzarri didn't see it as a talking point.

"I've never seen a player look happy to be taken off," he insisted. "The Coach makes his choices and every player has to accept them because their colleague gets a chance."