Alex Kirkland Rodrigo Faez
Police had to intervene after the bad end of the 0-0 draw between Atletico Madrid and Manchester City in the second match of the quarterfinals of the Champions League which turned into a confrontation after the match in the tunnel. City will face Real Madrid in the semi-finals after rejecting a rally late by a much-improved Atletico in the second half at the Wanda Metropolitano on Wednesday to advance 1-0 overall. Tensions prevailed in the 91st minute, when Atletico defender Felipe was sent off for provoking Phil Fontaine, sparking an argument that continued in the tunnel after the final whistle. – Dawson: Manchester City stood up as Atleti tried to intimidate them – ESPN + Spectator Guide: LaLiga, Bundesliga, MLS, FA Cup, more – Don’t have ESPN? Get instant access Television footage showed Stefan Savic trying to confront Jack Grillis, who had previously been photographed pulling the City player’s hair in a hand-to-hand battle after Felipe’s red card. Substitute Sime Vrsaljko had to be restrained by Atletico’s coaching staff and Kyle Walker was held behind goalkeeper Ederson before police could move to restore order. “The game can make you angry like that, when you put them under pressure and create opportunities, and they fall low, they waste time,” said Atletico Coke captain when asked about the red card and the characters that followed. “It’s football. We are often criticized for it, let’s see what people think about it today.” The Atletico players were outraged by what they felt were City’s attempts to lower the time as they defended the 1-0 lead in the first game. “In a tense game like this, it can happen,” said Atletico goalkeeper Jan Oblak. “People came in from the bench, there are a lot of nerves, it’s normal to be under pressure and say bad words. Everything that happens in a game stays there. It was good for City, some time was lost.” However, City defender Aymeric Laporte retaliated, saying: “Those who lost time were their team, getting into irrational quarrels. “We already know how they are and they always do the same thing. It’s always bad to watch these games, a lot of fuss is made with a few. I think it was bad for them because it was at their best in the game.” The players of Atletico Madrid and Manchester City are facing each other during their match in the Champions League. Getty Images Pep Guardiola refused to answer questions about wasting time, but City midfielder Rodri admitted that there are times when it is necessary. “When you are locked back and there are five to 10 minutes left, we have to play with other weapons,” Rodri said. “I’m not in favor of doing it throughout the game, but in some cases. Everything that stays on the pitch stays there. It’s a very stressful game and I do not really know what happened to Felipe, but it is not pleasant. “ Both Oblak and coach Diego Simeone said they had not seen what happened in the tunnel, as they were left out on the pitch after the match to thank Atletico fans for their support. “I did not see it. I was with the players, applauding the fans,” Simeone told a post-match press conference. “When I climbed the stairs [in the tunnel]no one was there. “ Simeone denied that he had given an ironic applause to City and Guardiola’s opponent in overtime – saying: “I did not applaud the opponent’s bench, I applauded our fans”, but he still seemed irritated by the comments. Atletico defense. tactics after the first leg. “Often, people with great vocabulary are very smart and manage to praise you with disrespect,” said Simeone. “But those of us who may have less vocabulary are not so stupid. “Football has many facets. I will not say my opinion on how the opponent behaved. We will focus on ourselves, playing with perhaps the best team in the world and realizing that we can compete. But that does not make me happy, the only thing what makes me happy is the victory “.
