Manchester City midfielder Rodri says the players weren't surprised by Atletico Madrid's approach for last night's Champions League clash.

The 0-0 draw saw City reach the semifinals 1-0 on aggregate, with a brawl being sparked at the final whistle.

Former Atletico star Rodri said: "We knew we were coming to a war. We have found a very tough opponent from the first minute. It has not been one of our best games, it has cost us, in the second half we have felt tired. Atleti was more whole in the second balls and we suffered at the end.

"We know that they have a great team, they play direct, they make you pay attention to the second plays and we have been a bit imprecise."

On Atleti claims of time wasting, Rodri shrugged: "In football everything is legal. We have tried to play, but in the end they have been locking us up and in the end you play with these types of weapons. I am in favor of not doing it during the whole game, but from time to time you have to play with these things. I don't think it was excessive."

On the brawl, he concluded: "What happens on the field stays there; game of many pulsations, tight result and everything to the surface. They are my ex-colleagues and that is why I have tried to get away, it was not pleasant."