Long time Atletico Madrid fitness coach 'Profe' Ortega is finding himself at odds with many of the players, it has been revealed.

Ortega is regarded among the best physical trainers in the game - though also as a hard task master.

AS says Atletico players refused his instructions to warm down after defeat this week at Champions League opponents Juventus.

But matters were worse last week, with claims Ortega and Stefan Savic almost came to blows after the win against Leganes.

Profe spoke without knowing Savic was listening: "This one cannot be moved".

Savic, who played the 90 minutes, rebuked him: "What did you say about me? Tell me to my face, rat!"

Profe: "I did not say anything about you..."

But Savic then is alleged to have sought to hit Profe. They were then separated. Savic went into a rage and threw a boot at Prof. It hit one of the three screens in the locker room, destroying it. The row continued until coach Diego Simeone returned from his press conference.

Simeone, without taking action against Ortega, demanded Savic apologise - which he agreed to. But with Ortega emerging unscathed, it's suggested Atletico held their own protest by ignoring him at the end of the game in Turin.