DIEGO SIMEONE had to be pulled apart from an Arsenal rival he worked with for more than a decade.
Tempers boiled over in injury time as the Gunners beat Atletico Madrid.
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Diego Simeone got into a spat with his old colleague at the Emirates Credit: Prime Video
He pushed former Atleti chief, now Arsenal sporting director, Andrea Berta Credit: Prime Video
Bukayo Saka turned home on the rebound just before half-time to give Arsenal the advantage in their Champions League semi-final showdown.
And as the clock ticked towards the full-time whistle, things got heated on and off the pitch.
David Raya was booked for time-wasting before Koke and Gabriel Martinelli locked horns when the ball went out for a throw-in.
But Simeone was right in the thick of it in the technical area, too.
ARSENAL 1 ATLETICO 0 (2-1 AGG)
Saka sends Gunners to first Champions Lg final for 20 years
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The fiery Atleti boss’ frustrations were clear to see as his dreams of a Champions League title evaporated.
And his mood was not helped when he saw Andrea Berta on the side of the pitch.
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Berta spent 12 years at Atletico Madrid from 2013 to 2025 as technical director and then sporting director, with Simeone the manager throughout that spell.
The Italian helped sign the likes of Antoine Griezmann, Jan Oblak, Joao Felix and Rodri while overseeing tremendous success, including two LaLiga titles and the Europa League.
However, he moved to the Emirates last year to replace Edu as sporting director.
But despite watching the majority of the semi-final second leg in the directors’ box, Berta headed down for the final minutes.
Berta and Simeone were separated as tempers boiled over Credit: Prime Video
The fiery Argentine was typically animated on the sideline Credit: AFP
Berta joined Arsenal in March 2025 Credit: Getty
Bukayo Saka scored the winning goal to send the Gunners to the final Credit: Getty
So much so that he was spotted just metres from the touchline in his suit in the closing seconds.
Berta – who slapped a Manchester City doctor in 2022 – waved his arms at the referee and tapping his watch, indicating that time should be up and the whistle was due.
But when Simeone spotted his former colleague, he marched over and shoved him.
The fourth official and various backroom staff members from both teams quickly separated the pair.
But Berta did not have to wait long before Arsenal’s place in the Budapest final at the end of May was confirmed – sparking more wild celebrations on the pitch, in the dugout and in the stands.
