Atlético's Correa denies Real after crowd problems disrupt derby for 15 minutes | LaLiga

Diego Simeone insisted Atlético Madrid “doesn't need these people in our stands” after the derby against Real Madrid was stopped for 15 minutes and players were taken off the pitch for missiles thrown at Thibaut Courtois.

Atlético coach Simeone and his captain Koke approached the south end to make them stop, while defender Joséma Giménez engaged in a discussion with fans, including some wearing balaclavas, before the referee, Mateo Busquets Ferrer, ordered the teams off the pitch took pitch. “I hope these people don’t come back to the stadium,” Koke said.

However, Simeone also criticized Courtois' role in provoking the “unjustified” incidents, stressing: “Those of us who are protagonists must be careful about what we produce, and I include myself too.”

The players were sent off at 68:55 after two announcements over the loudspeaker failed to prevent objects being thrown at the Madrid goalkeeper. There were discussions between the two captains Koke and Luka Modric. The teams had originally withdrawn for 10 minutes in accordance with La Liga protocols, but then came back out and the game started again fifteen minutes later.

According to the protocols, another incident would have resulted in the permanent suspension of the game. Luckily that didn't happen and Carlo Ancelotti said the referee did the right thing but the consequences would continue. Perhaps Europe's best city derby – the only one played in a Champions League final – has been marred by insults in recent years, including racist abuse against Vinícius Júnior, and now it has been interrupted with a 1-0 deficit after one Goal from Eder Militão, Ángel Correa equalized for the home team in the 95th minute, the ball finally landing over the line at 11:11 p.m.

The trouble that erupted at the end, with Atlético's right-wing ultras among the fans, began immediately after Madrid took the lead in the second half. Courtois celebrated Militão's goal by addressing the fans behind the goal. Several objects were thrown at him, which he initially threw to the sidelines. As others were thrown, he alerted the referee and brought what looked like lighters to the side of the field. An initial announcement was made and Simeone motioned for supporters to use their heads, but more objects were thrown, including bottles and a plastic bag.

While Simeone and Koke asked the fans to stop, Busquets Ferrer ended the game. Simeone chatted with Courtois on the pitch. “I told him to stay calm, but I also said that (what he did) absolutely does not justify this: we don't need these people,” Simeone said. “We have to be careful when portraying the victim – you can clearly see Courtois walking up to the fans (gesturing) and laughing, and that's what makes that possible.”

Then the captain and the coach went to the end together with Giménez. There was a discussion between a man in a balaclava with a skull on it and Giménez. As they spoke, water poured down on the defender.

“The message to them was: think about the club, the team, YOUR team,” Simeone said of those conversations with fans. “You’re not helping your team. What they said was that it wasn't their fault that he provoked them. That doesn’t justify it, but I’m saying we also need to punish those of us who provoke.”

“We don’t need these people on our stands. We need people who support us, who think about the club and the team,” added Simeone. “Anyone who throws a lighter is no longer allowed to come. That happened to Courtois once at the Bernabéu when he played for us. It happens and it will happen again. Should it happen? NO! But be careful when playing the victim. We have to make sure something like this doesn’t happen again.”

“They felt provoked, but that doesn’t justify it and it can’t happen,” Koke said. “We should talk about football and I hope something like this doesn’t happen again. This can’t happen: four, five, six, ten or 20 people have tarnished the club’s image.”

Most of the time the actual football wasn't very good. In a game with few chances, Madrid took the lead when Militão shot the ball into the goal from a quick free kick and a cross from Vinícius, and then the trouble began. Eventually the teams returned. It wouldn't be true to say that no one cared anymore, even if the events overshadowed the entire evening. Atlético looked for an equalizer but were much better after the break and things broke out when Correa ran through, overtook Courtois and fired the ball into the net. Originally ruled out for offside, VAR reinstated the goal. There was still time for the hosts' Marcos Llorente to be sent off for a rough tackle.

“An episode that shouldn’t have happened helped us,” admitted Simeone.