Diego Simeone Clashes With Former Colleague Andrea Barta As Arsenal Stifle Atletico

The defining image of Arsenal’s Champions League semi-final progression was not Bukayo Saka’s decisive 44th-minute strike, but the chaotic 95th-minute confrontation between Diego Simeone and his former colleague, Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta.

In a tie where the margins were razor-thin, Arsenal demonstrated a newfound mastery of the psychological and tactical gamesmanship—often termed the “dark arts”—long associated with Simeone’s Atletico Madrid.

The crest controversy and escalating tensions

The animosity that peaked at the Emirates was seeded a week prior at the Metropolitano. Following a 1-1 draw in the first leg, Simeone confronted Ben White in the tunnel area.

The dispute was triggered by White walking over an Atletico crest emblazoned on the floor near the dressing rooms, an act Simeone and his staff interpreted as a deliberate sign of disrespect.

The ensuing melee, which saw several players and staff involved in a heated exchange, set a combative tone for the return leg. White, who had conceded a penalty for handball earlier that evening, became a central figure in a narrative of provocation that Atletico typically controls.

Strategic disruption in North London

Arsenal’s approach in the second leg mirrored the defensive discipline and game-management of their opponents. Beyond the 1-0 scoreline, the Gunners’ ability to break the rhythm of the game proved decisive.

Mikel Arteta’s side effectively “dampened” the occasion through calculated delays and physical resilience. This was most evident in the final stages, as Arsenal players and staff moved to influence the officials—a tactic often mastered by Atletico.

While the visitors avoided stepping on the Arsenal badge during their pre-match warm-up—a clear nod to the White-Simeone incident—they found themselves unable to unsettle an Arsenal backline that refused to be drawn into emotional errors.

The Berta-Simeone flashpoint

The tension reached a breaking point in the fifth minute of stoppage time. As Berta—who spent 13 years working alongside Simeone in Madrid before joining Arsenal last summer—gestured toward his watch to signal for the final whistle, Simeone reacted physically.