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Koke is ‘proud’ of how Atletico Madrid played against Man City in the Champions League opening match | Football news


Atletico Madrid captain Koke defended his side’s ill-fated antics in their Champions League opener against Manchester City – despite being branded a waste of time by Pep Guardiola’s side.

Man City advanced to the Champions League semi-finals thanks to a 0-0 second leg draw at the Wanda Metropolitano – with the final score being 1-0 – in a resolute defensive display despite the chaos that emerged late in the game. .

At the start of nine extra minutes of injury time in the second half, both players were involved in a scuffle after Felipe fouled Phil Foden near stoppage time. Stefan Savic attempted to lift the injured Foden off the floor, causing a scuffle, while the former City defender was also seen trying to headbutt Raheem Sterling and pull Jack Grealish by the hair.

Felipe, meanwhile, received a second yellow card for his tackle on Foden and his role in the scuffle, but midfielder Koke believes City’s time-wasting antics made the Atleti players feel disappointed.

“The match takes you to madness when you see that you have a chance and they fall to the ground and waste time,” the Atleti captain said in a post-match interview.

Late-night enthusiasm at Wanda Metropolitano Stadium
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Late-night enthusiasm at Wanda Metropolitano Stadium

“Many times we have been criticized for this situation, but today it was them. Let’s see what people think of this. Today it was seen, we are Atletico de Madrid and I am proud of the team. this.

“I’m proud of my teammates for their hard work. I don’t have to blame the team. I’m proud of everyone and the fans, who lost the game, stayed behind and applauded. cheering for us after the game. This is Atletico.”

Video from the match shows the scuffle continuing in the tunnel, with Grealish and Savic continuing their feud while both are held by club staff at opposite ends of the area. again.

Felipe was sent off for Atletico Madrid against Manchester City
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Felipe was sent off for Atletico Madrid against Manchester City

Meanwhile, unused substitute Sime Vrsaljko threw a bottle towards Aymeric Laporte, and Atleti’s man also had to be held back by Kyle Walker in the tunnel.

UEFA said it would wait for reports from the referee and match representatives before deciding whether to open disciplinary proceedings.

Asked about his views on the incident, Atleti coach Diego Simeone said: “I don’t see that. I was on the pitch clapping for the fans and greeting everyone on the pitch. So by the time I was up the stairs. Everyone’s gone.” “

Stones: Proud we kept our cool

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Man City players celebrate qualifying achievement

Meanwhile, Manchester City defender John Stones admitted the late-game brawl was “not nice to talk about” but praised the team’s response to Atleti’s actions.

“We know they try to let things be that way sometimes and I think we handled it really well,” Stones said after the game. “It’s not good to talk about that. I don’t want to talk about it because we played unbelievable against a team with so much experience in what they do.

“I’m so proud of the boys for the way we control our temper. It’s easy to get caught up in things like that. So happy to get through and have a great night.

“We certainly know it’s not an easy place to be. It’s my first time here and it’s a hostile environment. It was a tough night but the way we defended and the way they were. I have amazing control over myself.”

The Stones also addressed claims that Foden, the victim of both Felipe’s yellow card errors, was a target of Atleti’s players – but could only commend the England youngster for his efforts with two legs.

Phil Foden after receiving some powerful treatment during Manchester City's match against Atletico Madrid
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Phil Foden ended up some strong treatment in Manchester City’s game against Atletico Madrid

“[They started] Stones about Atleti’s treatment of Foden. “Phil was such a threat in both games, especially when he was on the pitch for the first time, an immediate impact.

“Then in this game he pushed us on the pitch and won us the yardsticks. He was brilliant, he’s feeling it after the game.”

Pep: Atletico can play the way they want | Simeone: Some compliment us with disdain

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Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has denied criticizing Diego Simeone’s playing style after the Atletico Madrid boss suggested they had been praised ‘with contempt’

Pep Guardiola refused to criticize Atletico’s approach after the game, insisting instead that he has always been positive about Simeone’s tactics and that the former Argentina midfielder can set up his side any way he he likes.

Speaking to Spanish reporters, the Man City manager said: “You yourself said that Simeone’s cycle was always the same, that was you, three or four months ago. This is what you said when they didn’t win. in the match you, don’t put it on me.

“I always say good things about the club and the team. El Cholo (Diego Simeone) can play the way he wants, nothing else.”

Speaking after his team’s departure, Simeone said he felt people had praised the style of Atletico – the defending Spanish champions – with “contempt”.

“I have no reason to comment on whether someone says a good thing or a bad thing,” Simeone said. “Usually people with a wide vocabulary are very intelligent and they may compliment you with bad words.

“But those of us, who may not have a lot of vocabulary, we’re not stupid either.”

‘Many things for UEFA to consider after players clash in tunnel’

Ben Ransom, Sky Sports News reporter in Madrid

Manchester City's Fernandinho (second right) interspersed between Atletico Madrid's coach Diego Simeone (centre) and Riyad Mahrez at the end of the UEFA Champions League quarter-final, second leg at the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium in Madrid.  Date taken: Wednesday, April 13, 2022.
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Fernandinho intervenes between Diego Simeone and Riyad Mahrez late in the game

“During the build-up, we focused a lot on style. Guardiola before the game talked about the aggression he expected, but I think he expected it to be a little less than they were. i saw last night because it was boiling..

“There were some flashes. The first time we saw it get really nasty on the pitch was the melee that broke out after that tackle against Phil Foden, in the end Felipe was sent off. Stefan Savic, former Man City player, joined himself There are pictures of him pulling Jack Grealish’s hair, he’s burying his head in another player.

“I can’t remember ever being in a match where there were so many players involved in a melee like that, and it was physical. It was quite uncomfortable and it went on for such a long time.

“Normally it all dies off pretty quickly and there’s usually a lot more mediators – that was not the case last night. I think it’s gotten to the point where Atletico’s frustration really flares up.

“It all started again in the tunnel. In my opinion, the players are being herded down there and security did their best to keep them from being thrown at them by Atletico Madrid fans.

“And then as soon as they disappeared from view, you could see them coming together, the police came in to separate them in the tunnel. So a lot of things for UEFA to study.”

Guardiola: We have big problems with injuries

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Guardiola believes reaching the semi-finals of the Champions League is an incredible achievement

Atletico had little chance of regaining form in the draw, with Ederson being called up only once in the second leg of the Wanda Metropolitano. The Brazilian goalkeeper was forced to make a vital tackle against Angel Correa in the 102nd minute, one of the final kicks of the game.

Meanwhile, Man City only had one big chance to prolong the final advantage when Ilkay Gundogan headed off the post in the first half, while Pep Guardiola’s men successfully defended for most of the second half. .

City manager Guardiola admitted his side struggled in the second half of Wednesday night’s game, especially after losing two key players to injury. The visitors saw Kevin de Bruyne come off the field and receive treatment shortly before Kyle Walker limped off after colliding with Renan Lodi.

City have an FA Cup semi-final against Liverpool on Saturday and injuries to both players may not give them a good chance for that Wembley encounter.

“We were in big trouble [with injuries]”Guardiola said.” We can’t forget that we played three days ago. To play Liverpool, travel, come here is difficult.

“I don’t know what will happen in the next few weeks. We will celebrate today because this is the third time Man City have reached the semi-finals of the Champions League.

“In the second half, they [Atleti] better than us. In the first half we had a chance to do that but overall we were in the semi-finals. It’s well-deserved over two games.

“The opponent is too difficult. All the teams in the Champions League coming here find it difficult. We conceded very little but in the second half they played better. In 180 minutes, the last 25 minutes they played better.”

How the newspapers responded to the Atletico crisis

On a night in which Atletico Madrid were knocked out of the Champions League after a poor draw, the British media criticized Simeone’s side for their actions.

Daily Mirror Sports writer Mike Walters tweeted Wednesday night: “Imagine supporting a team managed by Simeone, including Felipe and Savic, and really want them to win. What a bunch of animals #ATMMCI

While, Daily mail Football writer Jack Gaughan, who was present at the Wanda Metropolitano stadium, described Atleti’s actions as “truly disgraceful” while Martin Samuel from the same organization called the Spanish team “losers”. painful defeat”.

TalkSPORT host Adrian Durham added on Twitter: “Simeone’s Atleti is absolutely lawless. Glad they are out” while writer Paul Hayward added: “All of that and Atletico couldn’t score table on both turns. Savic and Felipe: horrible.”





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