[Michael.SF.]

One minute, he is smiling and talking to the Italian player

You saw it differently then I.

I saw the Italian player and Zidane mixing it up a bit, tanlgling with each other. Nothing illegal, just routine, but the kind of thing that starts a grudge between players during a game. Then the Italian and Zidane exchanged words, not friendly ones I assumed. Zidane was walking away when the Italian said something over the top. That prompted Zidanes action>

But given all of the above, it was a cheap shot and the SOB deserved to be thrown out.

[Michael.SF.]

Correction:

Zidane was walking away when the Italian said something, which was probably over the top, from Zanes POV.

[mware]

Well the running of the Bulls is still going on in Spain. Now they are really insane.

[dfwgator]

Seems to me Zidane figured the refs wouldn't be looking and that he could have gotten away with it.