Roberto De Zerbi says he can understand why Billy Gilmour made the challenge which has cost him a three-match ban.
The Scotland midfielder sits out the FA Cup tie at Wolves as well as the next two league games.
He was shown a straight red card for catching Amadou Onana as both men looked to win a loose ball in midfield during the 1-1 draw with Everton.
De Zerbi was not drawn when asked to compare the foul with one by Harry Maguire, for Manchester United against Fulham, which only cost him a yellow card.
But the former midfielder said: “If you have played football, you can understand the foul of Billy Gilmour. It is part of football.
“But I don’t want to make any controversy.”
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