Pep Guardiola shrugs off Atletico Madrid antics after Man City make Champions League semis
- Mark Ashenden
- 13 April 2022
Manchester City held off a late surge from Atletico Madrid to secure a 1-0 aggregate win and set up a Champions League semi-final with Real Madrid.
Pep Guardiola kept his emotions under control after watching his Manchester City players come through a tempestuous Champions League clash against Atletico Madrid on Wednesday night.
City survived a late onslaught from Diego Simeone's men to draw 0-0 on the night and set up a semi-final with Real Madrid after winning the first leg at the Ethihad 1-0.
"They are a champion of Spain and played with incredible energy in the second half, better than us and we were lucky we didn't concede," Guardiola said.
"In the first half we had chances to do it and all in all, to reach the semi-finals, if you count the two games it is well deserved.
"The opponent is so tough, all the teams in the Champions League come here and suffer and we knew it."
The win came at a cost with Kevin De Bruyne and Kyle Walker both coming off after treatment while Phil Foden left the pitch heavily bandaged.
Injury woe
"We are in big trouble," Guardiola added. "We cannot forget we played three days ago a tough game against Liverpool. We came here, we have a lot of injuries. I don't know what will happen in the next weeks but today we are going to celebrate.
"It is the third time in Manchester City's history we are in the semi-finals of the Champions League and it is a big success for us to be there."
A big night in Madrid! 🙌#ManCity pic.twitter.com/0xvcq7Z4Fd
— Manchester City (@ManCity) April 13, 2022
Atletico wasted several chances late on to take the tie into extra-time but ended the fiery match a man down after defender Felipe was sent off for a dangerous tackle on Phil Foden.
There were also angry exchanges on the touchline between both sets of players.
Asked about Atletico's tactics and behaviour in the closing stages, John Stones told BT Sport: "We know sometimes they try and make things happen like that. I thought we dealt with it really well. It's not nice to talk about and we don't want to dwell on that.
"Over the two legs I think we played incredibly against such an experienced team in what they do with such a low block. I'm so proud of the lads today and how we kept control, kept our tempers, it's so easy to get drawn into stuff like that so we're happy to be through and it's a great night.
"We know it's not an easy place to come, it's my first time, but it's a hostile environment from talking to the boys who have played here before. We know some of their players and how they play. It was a difficult night."
