Mayhem in Madrid
Guardiola, Simeone tight-lipped over ugly incidents at the Wanda Metropolitano
MANCHESTER CITY manager Pep Guardiola claimed he had “nothing to say” on the ugly scenes which marred his side’s Champions League triumph over Atletico Madrid. City claimed a hard-fought draw at the Wanda Metropolitano yesterday to reach the semifinals 10 on aggregate but the match ended in rancour and bitterness with scuffles on the field and in the tunnel.
First a melee involving numerous players from both sides broke out on the field after Felipe kicked Phil Foden.
Amongst the trouble, Atletico defender Stefan Savic pulled unused City substitute Jack Grealish’s hair after the pair exchanged words. Felipe was sent off for his involvement.
The problems continued after the teams left the field with players needing to be separated in the tunnel. TV footage showed objects being thrown and police reportedly became involved to restore order.
Asked about the incidents in his postmatch press conference, Guardiola simply said he had “nothing to say”.
Pressed further in relation to a head injury sustained by Foden in another poor challenge from Felipe in the first half, Guardiola said: “I don’t talk about referees or the opponents either.”
There was also a suggestion Guardiola had liquid thrown at him as he headed for the tunnel.
He said: “Everyone saw the action but I have nothing to say.”
Guardiola preferred to focus on the determined effort of his players to claim a result amid fierce provocation and an intimidating atmosphere.
“They pushed us a lot,” Guardiola said. “They are a champion of Spain and played with incredible energy in the second half, better than us and we were lucky we didn’t concede,” he said.
“In the first half we had chances to do it and all in all, to reach the semifinals, if you count the two games it is well deserved.
“The opponent is so tough, all the teams in the Champions League come here and suffer and we knew it. We had to
adapt. We could not have the ball and we felt the pressure.”
The win came at a cost with Kevin De Bruyne and Kyle Walker both coming off after treatment while Foden left the pitch heavily bandaged.
“We are in big trouble,” Guardiola added. “We cannot forget we played three days ago a tough game against Liverpool.
“We came here, we have a lot of injuries. I don’t know what will happen in the next weeks
but today we are going to celebrate.
“It is the third time in Manchester City’s history we are in the semifinals of the Champions League and it is a big success for us to be there.”
Atletico coach Diego Simeone also refused to comment much on the controversies.
“I always think justice should be implemented by other people. It is the referee who should implement justice,” Simeone said.
On his side’s general performance, Simeone said: “We are disappointed because we are out. You always want to win, no
matter how you win. Winning is the most important thing.
“But of course it was a very difficult tie against an extraordinary rival. We contained their strength and they only had a couple of chances.
“We played better in the second half and created chances that could have allowed us to win but we were not clinical.”
BT Sport pundit Rio Ferdinand insisted Atletico should be “embarrassed” with their behaviour as the match and its aftermath descended into outright violence.
“Distasteful behaviour from the Atletico players, they should be embarrassed with some of the antics they have gone on,” Ferdinand said.
“You have to say, talking about football, well done to Atletico Madrid as they made Manchester City play in a way we haven’t seen for a long time, took them out of their rhythm and their stride.
“But some of the stuff towards the end was not what you want to see on a football pitch.” – The Independent/ Agencies