Police had to intervene after Atletico Madrid's 0–0 draw with Manchester City in the Champions League quarter-finals ended poorly, which escalated into a post-match confrontation in the tunnel.
City will take on Real Madrid in the semi-finals and lead 1-0 on aggregate after a late rally from the much better Atletico in the second half at the Wanda Metropolitano on Wednesday.
Tension escalated in the 91st minute when Atletico defender Felipe was sent off for a challenge on Phil Foden, sparking a touchline brawl that continued in the tunnel after the full-time whistle.
TV images showed Stephen Savic trying to face Jack Grealish, who had previously been pictured pulling a City player's hair in a scuffle after Felipe's red card. Substitute Sime Versaljko had to be stopped by the Atlético coaching staff, and Kyle Walker was held back by goalkeeper Ederson, before police officers proceeded to restore order.
Atletico captain Koke, when asked about the red card and the fight that followed, said: "The game can drive you crazy, when you're pressuring them and creating chances, and they're going down You're wasting your time." "It's football. We often get criticized for it, let's see what people think about it today."
Atletico players were furious that they had defended a 1–0 first leg lead as City attempted to run down the clock.
"It can happen in such a tense game," Atleti goalkeeper Jan Oblak said. "People came off the bench, there's a lot of nerves, it's normal to get pushed and said some bad words. What happens in a game, stays there. It was good for the city, it wasted a little time "
However, City defender Aymeric Laporte hit back, saying: "What was wasting time was his team, getting into absurd fights.
"We already know how they are and that's how they always do. It's always ugly to watch these fights happen, much less fuss. I think it was bad for them because they're at their best moments in the game." were in."
Pep Guardiola declined to answer questions about wasting time, but City midfielder Rodri admitted there are times when it is necessary.
"When you close behind and when there are five to 10 minutes left, we have to play with other weapons," Rodri said.
"I'm not in favor of doing it throughout the game, but on occasions. The one who stays in the field stays there. It's a very pressure game and I really don't know what happened to Felipe, but it's not pleasant is. "
Both Oblak and manager Diego Simeone said they did not see what happened in the tunnel, as they remained out on the pitch after the game to thank Atlético fans for their support.
"I didn't see it. I was with the players, appreciating the fans," Simeone said at a post-match press conference. "When I went up the stairs [in the tunnel], there was no one there."
Simeone denied that he played an ironic applause on the City bench and opposite number Guardiola in extra time - saying: "I didn't appreciate the opposition bench, I applauded my fans," - but nonetheless praised Atletico's Irritated by Guardiola's comments on the defensive. Strategy after the first phase.
"Often, people with a large vocabulary are very intelligent, and they manage to praise you with disrespect," Simeon said. "But for those of us who probably have a small vocabulary, we're not so stupid.
"There are so many aspects to football. I won't give my opinion on how an opponent behaves. We'll focus on us, maybe playing against the best team in the world, and feeling like we can compete. But It's not that I'm happy, the only thing that makes me happy is winning."