Porto coach Sergio Conceicao has said he was insulted by Chelsea counterpart Thomas Tuchel after the return leg of the Champions League quarter-finals.
Chelsea advanced to the last four of the competition after an aggregate 2-1 result, despite losing 1-0 to Porto last night in Seville.
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After the final whistle, Tuchel hugged his coaching staff before walking toward the fourth officer and Conceicao.
Tuchel extended his right arm to obtain an apparent punch with Conceicao, who was reluctantly accepted, before leaving while the head of Porto exchanged words with him.
“This man insulted me [in reference to Tuchel, who was also in the mixed zone giving an interview] this is here by my side, “Conceicao told Portuguese TV channel TVI24.” I told the referee that the fourth official heard these insults. That’s all.”
Conceicao did not reveal the exact words Tuchel said to him, but said at the postmatch press conference, “It’s useless to talk about it. My English isn’t perfect. There was no exchange of words, I was worried and I was focused on the game.I didn’t understand the reason for the reaction.I heard some insults, it’s not nice, but it’s over.
“My irritation in the end had to do with this because I didn’t even talk to him during the game, I didn’t look at his bench, but at the game. I was worried about the game.”
The tension between the coaches was evident during the early stages of the match. Tuchel protested vigorously against Porto’s fourth official and bench after an elbow from Porto Pepe captain Kai Havertz in the third minute, while in the 29th minute Conceicao complained after Cesar Azpilicueta’s foul on Otavio.
The Chelsea and Porto players had to part after the final whistle, while Pepe was angry pointing with a Tuchel finger. After the match, the Chelsea boss downplayed the incident.
“It was just a small argument between me and the coach [Conceicao]”Tuchel said at his press conference.” And then everyone suddenly followed me; I thought he was between me and the coach, but obviously not. No harm was done. “