Patrice Evra breaks silence on bust-up with Manchester City staff after Champions League semi-final
After the Champions League semi-final match between Real Madrid and Manchester City, Patrice Evra engaged in a heated altercation with a staff member from Manchester City’s support staff.
Following their impressive performance, the Premier League champions secured their spot in the upcoming European final with a commanding 4-0 win over the defending champions.
Manchester City’s jubilant celebration of reaching the final seemed to agitate Patrice Evra, who was dressed in a bold red suit. He became involved in a heated argument with Pep Guardiola’s assistant, Manel Estiarte, on the sidelines.
Elaborating on the confrontation, the former Manchester United star shared with CBS Sports: : “He was looking at me saying ‘this is for you, this is for you’. I came close and said why are you shouting, why are you so agitated?
“He said it was because last year I said on TV they **** themselves and that’s why they lost against Madrid. And I said this year they didn’t **** themselves and that’s the truth.
“I’m an honest man and I’m straight and afterwards he apologised.”
In less than a month, Manchester City will confront Inter in Istanbul, aiming to accomplish the final step of a potentially record-equalling treble. However, Patrice Evra issued a cautionary message to those players aspiring to match the accomplishments of Manchester United’s class of 1999.
He added: “It’s one game left so don’t celebrate yet so calm down and relax.”
Manchester City is now aiming to secure the trophy and redeem themselves for their defeat in the 2021 final, as they strive for a remarkable clean sweep of top honors this season.
Their first opportunity to claim a trophy could come on Sunday if they defeat Chelsea and secure the Premier League title. Additionally, they have the FA Cup final against Manchester United scheduled for June 3.
Regarding their Premier League title chase, City manager Pep Guardiola stated, “We are close in the Premier League, and we know we need to win one more game.”
“We play against our neighbours and against an Italian team in the finals. The season is really, really good. Now we have to lift it. We are close and of course we are going to try”
The first leg of the semi-final against Real Madrid at the Bernabeu Stadium last week was a closely contested match. Manchester City had control of possession for extended periods, but Real Madrid proved to be more effective on counter-attacks.
In the second leg, City adopted a different approach and did not allow their opponents to settle into a defensive mindset. They displayed greater dynamism, utilizing their speed and movement effectively. Real Madrid struggled to cope with City’s attacking prowess.
The comprehensive victory served as a satisfying revenge for Manchester City, as it helped erase the painful memories of their defeat to Real Madrid at the same stage of the competition in the previous season.
Guardiola said: “It was really tough losing the way we lost. In that moment we had to swallow poison but football and sport always gives you another chance. When the draw was Madrid, I said, ‘yeah I want it’.’
Patrice Evra breaks silence on bust-up with Manchester City staff after Champions League semi-final
