Atlético Madrid captain Koke has defended his facet’s poor conduct throughout their Champions League exit in opposition to Manchester Metropolis – though in response to Pep Guardiola’s time-wasting.
Metropolis certified for the Champions League semi-finals because of a 0-0 draw within the second leg on the Wanda Metropolitano – to undergo 1-0 on mixture – in a stable defensive efficiency regardless of the chaos on the finish of the match.
Beginning an extra 9 minutes of stoppage time within the second half, each groups had been concerned in a mass brawl after Felipe’s foul on Phil Foden close to the sideline. Stefan Savic tried to select up the injured Foden from the bottom, inflicting a scuffle, whereas the previous Metropolis defender was seen attempting to hit Raheem Sterling’s head and pull Jack Grealish by the hair.
In the meantime, Felipe obtained a second yellow card for his dealing with of Foden and his function within the brawl, however midfielder Koke claims Metropolis’s time-wasting actions have left Atleti’s gamers annoyed.
“The match takes you so loopy while you see that you’ve possibilities they usually fall to the bottom and waste time,” the Atleti captain stated in a post-match interview.
Boiling late at Wanda Metropolitano
“Typically we’re criticized for this case, however as we speak it was. Let’s have a look at what folks consider this. As we speak it was seen, we’re Atletico Madrid and I’m happy with this workforce.
“I am happy with my teammates for the hassle. I haven’t got something to scold the workforce for. I am happy with everybody and the followers, who misplaced, stored applauding for us after the match. That is Atletico.”
Atleti had only a few possibilities to return to a tie, as Ederson was known as up solely as soon as within the second leg of the Wanda Metropolitano. The Brazilian goalkeeper was compelled to make a decisive cease in entrance of Angel Correa within the 102nd minute, in one of many final kicks of the match.
Felipe was despatched off from Atletico Madrid in opposition to Manchester Metropolis
In the meantime, Metropolis solely had one main likelihood to increase their general benefit when Ilkay Gundogan climbed to the publish within the first half, and Pep Guardiola’s facet defended many of the second half.
Stones: proud that we held our nerve
In the meantime, Manchester Metropolis defender John Stones admitted that the mass brawl on the finish of the match was “not good to speak about” however praised his workforce’s response to Atleti’s actions.
“We all know that typically they attempt to make issues work that method and I believe we dealt with it properly,” Stones stated after the match. “It is not a good suggestion to speak about it. I do not need to dwell on that as a result of we performed extremely in opposition to a workforce that’s skilled in what they do on two legs.
“I am so happy with guys about how we management our mood. It is really easy to get drawn into issues like that. So glad you had an excellent evening.
Man Metropolis gamers have a good time their achievement within the qualifiers
“We positively knew it wasn’t a simple place to come back to. It is my first time right here and it is a hostile atmosphere. It was a tricky evening in all respects however how we defended and the way we managed ourselves was unbelievable.”
Stones additionally addressed allegations that Foden, who was the sufferer of Felipe yellow-card violators, had been focused by Atleti gamers – however solely praised the England younger worldwide for his efforts above my ft.
“[They started] Stones stated of Atleti’s dealing with of Foden early on, “Phil has been a risk in each video games, particularly when he got here on the primary time, he had a right away impression.
“Then on this sport, he drove us up the sphere and we received yards. He was nice, he feels it after the sport now.”
Phil Foden was handled properly in Manchester Metropolis’s away sport in opposition to Atlético de Madrid
Guardiola: We had been in massive bother with accidents
In the meantime, Metropolis coach Guardiola admitted that his workforce suffered throughout the second half of Wednesday evening’s match, particularly after shedding key gamers to harm.
Guests watched Kevin De Bruyne come down and obtain remedy simply moments earlier than Kyle Walker walked off the sphere after clashing with Renan Lodi.
Metropolis play the FA Cup semi-final in opposition to Liverpool on Saturday, and accidents to each gamers might not put them in a great place at Wembley.
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Manchester Metropolis supervisor Pep Guardiola believes that qualifying for the UEFA Champions League semi-finals is an incredible feat.
“We had been in massive bother [with injuries]Guardiola stated: “We will not overlook that we performed three days in the past. To play for Liverpool and to journey, come right here is troublesome.
“I do not know what’s going to occur within the subsequent few weeks. As we speak we are going to have a good time as a result of it’s only the third time that Metropolis have reached the Champions League semi-finals.
“Within the second half, hmm [Atleti] She was higher than us. Within the first half we had possibilities to try this however general we bought to the semi-finals. She deservedly deservedly throughout each matches.
“The opponent may be very troublesome. All of the groups within the Champions League that come right here discover it troublesome. We conceded only a few targets however within the second half they had been higher. In 180 minutes, the final 25 minutes had been higher.”
