Atletico Madrid president Enrique Cerezo has claimed Manchester City played “prehistoric” football in Wednesday night’s Champions League quarter-finals in a gag following Pep Guardiola’s alleged criticism of Diego’s team. Simeone.
City endured a goalless draw at the Wanda Metropolitano to secure a 1-0 aggregate win, but the night will be remembered for ugly scenes towards the end with Atletico’s Felipe sent off and Stefan Savic somehow avoiding a red card before he the players will collide again after the full-time whistle.
Atlético put pressure on City in the closing stages, with John Stones making a crucial block to deny Matheus Cunha before Ederson saved Ángel Correa in the 11th minute of added time as Guardiola’s men showed some defensive steel.
Although Guardiola insisted after Wednesday’s game that he had never criticized Atletico’s style, saying “(Simeone) can play however he wants”, Atletico were unimpressed by comments after the first leg in which the City manager he spoke of “prehistory” when discussing his 5-5-0 Formation.
And in statements to Radio Marca, Cerezo responded on Thursday.
“It was a match that, with a bit of luck, would have taken us to the semi-finals. We weren’t lucky enough to score a goal and go into extra time,” he said.
“We are a team that has a lot of status for someone to offend us and in the end it has been shown that each one has its prehistory. We played a good game, attacking, and City yesterday played prehistory, defending and putting up a wall in front of their goal so they didn’t score.
“Everyone has seen it. City was a completely defensive team. In the second half they shot on goal once. Yesterday it was shown that each one has its prehistory”.
The embarrassing scenes in the latter stages of the match, which are expected to bring charges from UEFA, prompted much criticism of Simeone for the way he often pitches his team to be aggressive, seeking to pick off opponents and influence goals. referees.
But Cerezo defended the 51-year-old, who has twice handed Atletico the league title and twice reached the Champions League final.
“In the sporting and human aspect, Simeone cannot be criticized,” said Cerezo. “He knows how to be in all situations. He will continue with us, his story is there, he is a winner and he will be with us as long as he wants”.
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