Rio Ferdinand blasts the ‘embarrassing’ players who showed themselves up in Atletico Madrid vs Man City tie

Rio Ferdinand has branded Atletico Madrid’s players as ‘embarrassing’ following their behaviour on and off the pitch against Manchester City.

The two teams met in their Champions League quarter-final second-leg at the Wanda Metropolitano, with the Sky Blues winning 1-0 on aggregate over both games.

Atletico are known to be a physical side due to their defensive shape and Diego Simeone’s style of play, however, many wouldn’t have expected them to take that to the levels they did on Wednesday evening.

Felipe was sent off after lashing out at Phil Foden, kicking the Sky Blues No.47 and sparking a brawl between both team’s players.

Former City defender Stefan Savic attempted to drag Foden off the pitch, which wasn’t liked by the latter’s team mates.

This wasn’t the only scrap that occurred on the night with Pep Guardiola’s and Simeone’s sides continuing their disagreement in the tunnel after the game.

Speaking on BT Sport following the 0-0 draw in the Spanish capital, Rio Ferdinand dubbed the La Liga champions’ behaviour as ‘distasteful’.

“Distasteful behaviour from the Atletico players, they should be embarrassed with some of the antics they have gone on with,” he said.

“You have to say, talking about football, well done to Atletico Madrid as they made Manchester City play in a way we haven’t seen for a long time, took them out of their rhythm and their stride.

“But some of the stuff towards the end was not what you want to see on a football pitch.”

The Sky Blues progressed to their second semi-final in as many years and will now face 13-time Champions League winners Real Madrid.

City’s place in the final-four of the competition also resulted in an individual achievement for Guardiola. The Catalan became the first manager to reach nine Champions League semi-finals.

The Sky Blues will face Real over two-legs with the first taking place at the Etihad Stadium on 26 April, before travelling to the Bernabeu on 4 May.