Simeone took a subtle dig after Atletico’s quarter final defeat
Diego Simeone appeared to aim a subtle dig at Pep Guardiola following Atletico Madrid’s Champions League exit to Manchester City.
Atletico were knocked out of the quarter finals on Wednesday night after a 1-0 aggregate defeat to City, however the game at the Wanda Metropolitano was overshadowed by a large brawl between both sides.
The scenes continued in the tunnel after full time, with footage showing several players caught up in heated arguments with each other in the tunnel.
While the game was tense throughout, the closing minutes were considerably MORE drama-filled https://t.co/FbgshlifHt
— JOE (@JOE_co_uk) April 14, 2022
‘I have a lot of respect for Atletico’
While some people criticised the behaviour of the Atletico players on the pitch, City boss Guardiola refused to call out the Spanish side, praising them instead for frustrating his team.
“It was like we have forgotten how to play, but it was all their merit,” Guardiola admitted.
“Today we are celebrating getting through, but by the second part we had, we easily could be eliminated.
“I have a lot of respect for Atletico. They have a lot of merit in what they do.
“They can play how they want, I have never criticised Atletico’s game and what Diego Simeone does he knows how to do like nobody else in the world.”
‘People who talk really well, and are really clever, they manage to praise you with contempt’
However when Simeone was asked for his thoughts on the matter he appeared to take aim at the Spaniard, claiming that clever people can “praise you with contempt.”
“I don’t have to have that sort of opinion. I don’t think he will talk badly or talk well,” he said during his press conference.
“Often, people who talk really well, and are really clever, they manage to praise you with contempt.
“But those of us who perhaps have a smaller vocabulary are not so stupid either.”
Simeone then added: “I am clear that we are proud of who we are, of how we compete. And I love seeing those who win celebrating it, because it shows once again that the important thing is to win.
City will now face Atletico’s city rivals, Real Madrid, the semi finals. The first leg is set to take place at the Etihad later this month.
Related links:
- Tunnel footage reveals ugly scenes between Man City and Atletico Madrid players after Champions League tie
- Man City and Atletico Madrid players clash during Champions League tie
- Rio Ferdinand: Karim Benzema was one of Alex Ferguson’s ‘biggest transfer regrets’
