Fiery end to Atlético-City with tunnel fracas, brawl

By: Rob Harris, The Associated Press Posted: 8:32 PM CDT Wednesday, Apr. 13, 2022 Last Modified: 8:47 PM CDT Wednesday, Apr. 13, 2022

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Atlético Madrid’s rough approach didn't end at the final whistle against Manchester City.

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Atlético Madrid’s rough approach didn't end at the final whistle against Manchester City.

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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 13/04/2022 (1607 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Atlético Madrid’s rough approach didn’t end at the final whistle against Manchester City.

The melee in Madrid spilled into the tunnel long after full time had blown on a Champions League campaign that Diego Simeone’s side tried to keep going with a variety of dark arts and rough tactics.

Šime Vrsaljko was never even brought off the substitutes’ bench in the quarterfinal, which ended 0-0 as City advanced 1-0 on aggregate. The Atlético defender instead tried to make his impact in the tunnel in incidents captured in broadcast footage on Wednesday night.

Atletico Madrid's goalkeeper Jan Oblak, 2nd right, argues with players of Manchester City during the Champions League quarterfinal second leg soccer match between Atletico Madrid and Manchester City at Wanda Metropolitano stadium in Madrid, Spain, Wednesday, April 13, 2022. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

Vrsaljko threw something at the City contingent and had to be held back as he was angrily gesticulating. On the other side of the tunnel, City defender Kyle Walker had to be restrained by the visiting contingent as they walked up the steps.

Still, Vrsaljko tried to launch himself at the City players. And as they approached the dressing rooms, police intervened in an attempt to restore calm.

The scenes will surely be investigated by UEFA. City manager Pep Guardiola didn’t want to stoke the tensions.

“Everyone saw the action but I have nothing to say,” Guardiola said when asked if he had liquid thrown on him.

Tensions were already simmering when a flare-up happened in the 89th minute that saw an already-aggressive Atletico side reduced to 10 men. It was sparked by Felipe kicking out at City forward Phil Foden as Atlético was chasing the goal to force extra time. Foden’s head was already wrapped in a bandage after an earlier challenge in the game from Felipe as they contested a high ball.

As Foden was rolling around, perhaps to waste time, Atletico defender Stefan Savić charged over, tugging at his shirt and attempting to drag him up.

Once calm was restored, Felipe received his second yellow card. The Brazilian hadn’t initially been booked for causing the cut to Foden’s head in the first half but for clipping Kevin De Bruyne.

Perhaps the only surprise was there wasn’t an additional red card after VAR reviewed the chaos as former City defender Stefan Savic was seen seemingly attempting to headbutt Raheem Sterling and pulling unused substitute Jack Grealish’s hair.

The Premier League champions, though, weren’t unsettled by the mayhem. Pep Guardiola’s side held on through 13 minutes of stoppage time to reach the semifinals, battered and bruised.

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