Pep: Manchester Metropolis ‘in massive hassle’ after Atletico win

Pep Guardiola stated the accidents sustained by Manchester Metropolis of their Champions League win over Atletico Madrid left his treble aspect in a “massive downside” forward of the second spherical.

A goalless draw within the Spanish capital secured a 1-0 mixture win and noticed Metropolis seem within the semi-finals for the third time within the membership’s historical past – towards 13-times champions Actual Madrid.

However with Saturday’s FA Cup semi-final towards Liverpool looming, Metropolis’s lead got here at a heavy worth, with Kevin De Bruyne and Kyle Walker injured and Phil Foden needing a bandage on his head on the Wanda Metropolitano.

“We’re in massive hassle,” Guardiola stated. BT Sport. “We can not overlook that three days in the past we performed a tough match towards Liverpool. We got here right here, now we have a whole lot of accidents.

“I do not know what’s going to occur within the coming weeks however we’ll have a good time right now. It is the third time in Manchester Metropolis’s historical past that we have reached the Champions League semi-finals, and it is an enormous success for us. To be there.”

Guardiola didn’t say how extreme the accidents had been, whereas additionally claiming he had “nothing to say” within the ugly scenes that marred his group’s progress on Wednesday night time.

The match ended with grudge and bitterness, with clashes on the sector and within the tunnel.

Initially a struggle broke out involving a number of gamers from either side on the sector after Felipe was despatched off by Foden. Among the many issues, Atletico defender Stefan Savic pulled the hair of unused Metropolis substitute Jack Grealish after exchanging phrases. Felipe was fired for his involvement.

The issues continued after groups left the sector with gamers needing to separate within the tunnel. Tv footage confirmed the throwing of objects and the police had been reportedly concerned in restoring order.

Requested in regards to the occasions in his post-match press convention, Guardiola merely stated he had “nothing to say”. And after coming beneath extra strain concerning Foden’s head damage in one other poor problem from Felipe within the first half, Guardiola stated: “I am not speaking about referees or opponents both.”

There was additionally a touch that Guardiola threw a liquid at him as he headed in direction of the tunnel. “Everybody has seen the act,” he stated, “however I’ve nothing to say.”

Guardiola most popular to concentrate on the decided effort of his gamers to demand the end result amid fierce provocation and a daunting ambiance.

“They pushed us quite a bit,” Guardiola stated. “Atletico had been wonderful within the second half and we forgot to play. We had been in massive hassle they usually had probabilities to attain.

“We had one or two probabilities within the first half however within the second half of the second leg it was significantly better. However on the similar time we defended all the things.

“We needed to adapt. We could not get the ball and we felt the strain. We’re within the semi-finals and this can be a nice achievement for our membership.”

How did the papers reply to the collapse of Atletico?

On the one night time that Atletico Madrid had been knocked out of the Champions League after a foul draw, the British media criticized Simeone’s group for his or her actions.

day by day mirror Sports activities author Mike Walters tweeted on Wednesday night time: “Think about supporting a group managed by Simeone, together with Felipe and Savic, and he actually needs them to win. What an animal group.”

whereas, day by day Mail Soccer author Jacques Gauguin, who was on the Wanda Metropolitano, known as Atleti’s actions “actually shameful” whereas Martin Samuel of the identical newspaper known as the Spanish aspect a “painful loser”.

TalkSPORT Host Adrian Durham added on Twitter: “Atleti Simeone is completely outlaw. Glad they’re out,” whereas author Paul Hayward added: “All of the snarling and snarling and Atletico could not rating at both leg. Savic and Felipe: Horrible.”

Nevertheless, there was a really completely different response to Atletico’s efficiency within the Spanish newspapers on Thursday morning, with Simeone’s group praising their efficiency.

Marker The title went “Coronary heart with out the award”, including that “Atletico tried to the tip towards the Metropolis group that didn’t play for something,” whereas Like He wrote that “the good Atlético was one step away from imposing additional time towards a shrinking metropolis.”

Of their gamers scores of the sport, Marker He additionally said that “the world wants a frontrunner like Savic” after a efficiency which noticed him spark a scuffle between each teams of gamers with the Foden maneuver, whereas additionally showing to hit Sterling and pull Grealish’s hair.

Manchester Metropolis matches schedule:

To be confirmed: wolves (a) Premier League

April 16 Liverpool (Wembley) FA Cup semi-finals

April 20 – Brighton (H) Premier LeagueReside broadcast on Sky Sports activities

April 23 Watford (H) Premier League

26/27 April – actual madrid SF Champions League go

April 30 – Leeds (A) Premier LeagueReside broadcast on Sky Sports activities

3/4 Might – actual madrid SF Champions League second dwelling

Might 8 Newcastle (H) English Premier League, dwell on Sky Sports activities

Might 14 FA Cup Remaining *

Might 15 – West Ham (A) English Premier League, dwell on Sky Sports activities

Might 22 – Aston Villa (at dwelling) Premier League

Might 28 UEFA Champions League Remaining*

*Topic to progress