Tear gas was used on the fan (Image: ×)
Scenes of violence broke out outside the Metropolitano Stadium, with Arsenal supporters tear gassed by police as police took strong action after Atlético fans, all dressed in black, clashed with local police as trouble broke out outside the ground more than an hour before kick-off.
Arsenal supporters then became involved in the riots, with police using tear gas and a distinct odor leaving the stadium, and rubber bullets being fired. Fans were forced to cover their mouths with scarves as they made their way to the ground.
Some Atlético fans were seen with their hands raised to try to prevent police from taking further action, while others were seen trying to escape by climbing the fence.
Similar problems occurred when Atlético faced Barcelona in the quarter-finals, with police beating supporters with batons and tear gas again. Several supporters required medical treatment for head injuries.
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Home fans filled the streets around the stadium and lit smoke bombs to welcome coach Diego Simeone’s side, but scenes quickly turned ugly as police reportedly charged a small number of rowdy fans.
More police were deployed on horseback to restore order.
Arsenal are aiming to reach the Champions League final for the first time since 2006, when they lost to Barcelona.
Footage of Atlético fans trying to run away from police. (Image: ×)
Wednesday’s draw is the first of two games after Arsenal secured a place in the last four with a 1-0 aggregate win over Sporting CP.
Mikel Arteta’s side defeated Atlético 4-0 in October’s league match, with goals from Gabriel Magalhães and Gabriel Martinelli, as well as a brace from Victor Goqueres. All three goalscorers will start again for Madrid.
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Ahead of the match, Simeone urged his team’s supporters to create a noisy atmosphere in order to join them on the pitch.
“If I remember correctly, it is extraordinary that Atlético Madrid can reach the Champions League semi-finals again for the first time in nine years and for the fourth time in 14 years,” he said.
“It’s really amazing. It’s incredible. And I think the faith that our people convey to us, that excitement, that contagiousness, will benefit us a lot.
“We’re going into a tough game against a very good opponent, but like I said at the beginning, our set-piece strategy is working really well and we’re going into it with excitement.
“I always say it’s good to dream, but the reality is what happens on earth. And what happens on earth is what we do and what God wants us to do. That’s what we do.”
“To be honest, there’s no pressure. There’s no pressure. There’s responsibility. There’s excitement that the club is getting closer to bigger goals than it’s ever achieved before. And of course there’s extra excitement.”
“And we have to prepare well. We’re going to play the game we want to play, the game we envision. And like we always say, we’re going to take the game to where we want it so we can do damage to our opponents.”
