Police intervene in Man City, Atleti tunnel clash

Police had to intervene after an ill-tempered end to Atletico Madrid’s 0-0 draw with Manchester City in their Champions League quarterfinal second leg spilled over into a post-match confrontation in the tunnel.

City will face Real Madrid in the semifinals after holding off a late rally from a much-improved Atletico in the second half at the Wanda Metropolitano on Wednesday to progress 1-0 on aggregate.

Tensions boiled over in the 91st minute when Atletico defender Felipe was sent off for a challenge on Phil Foden, sparking a touchline brawl which continued in the tunnel after the full-time whistle.

TV images showed Stefan Savic trying to confront Jack Grealish, having earlier been pictured pulling the City player’s hair in the melee after Felipe’s red card. Substitute Sime Vrsaljko had to be restrained by Atletico coaching staff, and Kyle Walker was held back by goalkeeper Ederson, before police officers moved in to restore order.

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“The game can make you mad like that, when you’re putting them under pressure and creating chances, and they’re going down, wasting time,” Atletico captain Koke said, when asked about the red card and the fracas that followed. “It’s football. We often get criticised for that, let’s see what people think about it today.”

Atletico’s players were angered by what they felt were attempts by City to run down the clock as they protected a 1-0 first leg lead.

“In a tense game like that, it can happen,” Atleti goalkeeper Jan Oblak said. “People came on from the bench, there are a lot of nerves, it’s normal that there’s pushing and some bad words said. What happens in a game, stays there. It was good for City, it wasted a bit of time.”

However, City defender Aymeric Laporte hit back, saying: “Who were wasting time were their team, getting into absurd fights.

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“We already know how they are and they always do the same. It’s always ugly to see these fights, a lot of fuss is made with little. I think it was bad for them because they were in their best moment in the game.”