There was no love lost between Diego Simeone and Andrea Berta, despite sharing a 12-year working relationship.
Berta joined Atletico Madrid in 2013 as their technical director, only a few years after Simeone arrived as manager, before being promoted to sporting director in 2017.
Diego Simeone argues
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Simeone's wait for a maiden Champions League crown rolls onCredit: AFP
However, Berta was on the opposite side of the divide on Tuesday evening given he moved to Arsenal in March 2025 to become their sporting director.
Even though Berta has deep ties with Atleti, there was little question as to where his allegiances lie when his former employers headed to north London.
What prompted the scuffle between Simeone and Berta?
As the clock ticked down during the second leg of Arsenal and Atleti's Champions League semi-final, Berta emerged from the tunnel at the Emirates Stadium and furiously waved his arms in the direction of referee Daniel Siebert.
Berta was far from alone in wanting Siebert to end proceedings given Bukayo Saka's first-half strike had Arsenal 1-0 up on the night and 2-1 on aggregate.
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But Simeone caught Berta's actions in the corner of his eye and, unsurprisingly, was less than impressed.
The Atleti manager strolled over and confronted Berta, where he gave him a light push back.
Several parties from both sides, as well as the fourth official, raced over to stop the conflict from kicking off any further.
Simeone steps on Arsenal's crest
That appeared to be the end of it between Berta and Simeone, but the Atleti manager wasn't done yet with the chaos.
After the full-time whistle, with Atleti's Champions League exit sealed, Simeone and the rest of the visitors exited the pitch at the Emirates.
But, as he walked down the tunnel, Simeone made a slight diversion to ensure he stepped on Arsenal's crest.
Diego Simeone clashes with Andrea Berta
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Simeone and Berta had to be separated late in the matchCredit: talkSPORT
Simeone's act came a week after he got into a heated row with Gunners defender Ben White after he committed a similar offence in Spain.
After both sides played out a 1-1 draw in the first leg, White walked over Atleti's crest and immediately got pulled up on the act by Giuliano Simeone.
But the incident soon turned serious when the senior Simeone got involved as he slapped White's back numerous times.
Both men then had to be held back before disappearing down the tunnel.
Simeone: Atleti 'deserved better in first leg'
Speaking after the contest, Simeone was left to lament an inability to make the most of their chances in the first leg.
"We had a very good Champions League campaign, we gave it our all and went much further than anyone normally expected," Simeone said.
Diego Simeone walks over to Atletico Madrid fans after Champions League defeat to Arsenal
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The Atleti boss was left to rue a number of missed chances in the first legCredit: Getty
"It's a shame. We deserved better in the first leg and today, at the very least, to have forced extra time, which might have given us another chance.
Simeone added: "In the first leg, we already had chances to score and didn't take them.
"Here, in the second half, we improved, got more into the game, played in their half and had opportunities.
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"All those little details that sometimes go your way. This time, they didn't go our way."
Arsenal now await the winner of Bayern Munich or Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final, which will take place on May 30 in Budapest.