‘I never criticised Atlético,’ says Guardiola after City squeeze into semi-finals

Pep Guardiola claimed that he had never criticised Atlético Madrid’s style, after a tense, edgy night which ended with Manchester City hanging on to a one-goal lead to reach the Champions League semi‑finals and a fight in the tunnel. But Diego Simeone, the Atlético manager, did not appear to be buying Guardiola’s explanation, insisting: “We’re not stupid.”

Koke Resurrección, Atlético’s captain, accused City of “falling on the floor and wasting time”, just as Atlético had been accused of doing, something that was admitted afterwards by the midfielder Rodri, who noted “everything’s licit in football” but insisted it was only the case in the final “five to 10 minutes”.

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There had been a mass confrontation in the corner just before the final whistle. And Simeone denied he had sarcastically applauded the City bench, insisting he was clapping the fans.

There was also trouble in the tunnel, with the police forced to intervene. Footage showed Stefan Savic and Jack Grealish confront each other while Sime Vrsaljko had to be held back as he could be seen throwing something and spitting at City staff. Asked about that footage, Guardiola replied: “Nothing to say.” Simeone said he had not been there and not seen anything. City’s manager did, though, respond to suggestions that it was ironic that he had adopted the approach Atlético had been accused of, by insisting those accusations had not come from him.

At the end of the first leg Guardiola had noted that “ever since prehistory” it has been hard to face a team that defends very deep with two lines of five, words that were interpreted as a dig by many in Spain, perhaps even including Simeone himself.