Arsenal fans were caught up in chaotic scenes outside the Metropolitano Stadium before the Champions League semi-final first leg against Atletico Madrid
Arsenal supporters found themselves embroiled in chaos outside the Metropolitano Stadium. Police resorted to tear gas and rubber bullets near the stadium as unsightly scenes tarnished the build-up to the Champions League face-off against Atletico Madrid.
An eye witness told Daily Star Sport’s sister paper The Mirror that it was Atletico fans – all clad in black – who clashed with local police, sparking unrest outside the ground over an hour before kick-off.
Arsenal fans were subsequently caught up in the upheaval as police deployed tear gas, leaving a distinct scent near the stadium. Supporters had to shield their mouths with scarves as they navigated their way to the ground.
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Other skirmishes saw police discharge rubber bullets from weapons in an effort to maintain control over the crowd.
Some Atletico followers could be seen raising their hands in the air in an attempt to dissuade police from targeting them, while others scaled fences in a bid to flee, as a mix of tear gas and flares permeated the air.
Atletico also encountered problems when they hosted Barcelona in Madrid for the quarter-final of the Champions League. On that occasion, police were observed striking supporters with batons and utilising gas as they squared off with home fans.
Several supporters were seen receiving medical attention for head injuries, reports the Mirror.
Arsenal are aiming to make it to the Champions League final for the first time since 2006, with a win over Atletico Madrid. The two teams will clash in the first leg of their semi-final encounter in Madrid.
The Gunners secured a resounding 4-0 victory over the Spanish heavyweights during the group stage of the competition back in October. Gabriel Magalhaes, Gabriel Martinelli and Viktor Gyokeres all found the back of the net, with the latter scoring twice.
However, Atleti manager Diego Simeone remains undeterred. He’s keen to harness the energy of his fans and channel it onto the pitch.
Simeone stated: “It’s extraordinary that Atletico Madrid is in a Champions League semi-final again after nine years and after doing it for the fourth time in 14 years, if I’m not mistaken.
“That really is wonderful, it’s incredible, incredible. And I think that faith, that excitement, that contagiousness that our people transmit to us will do us a lot of good.
“We are going to face a tough game with a very good opponent and with a set-piece strategy as you well said at the beginning that is very well worked and well, here we go with all the excitement.
“I always say that dreaming is good but reality is what happens on earth. And what happens on earth is what we do and what God wants. So that’s how we behave.
“Honestly pressure no, there’s no pressure. There’s responsibility. There is the excitement of being close to a huge goal that the club has never achieved. And of course there is a special excitement.
“And we have to prepare well, we’re going to play the game we want to play, the game we imagine and as I always say, take the game where we want so we can hurt them.”