Mikel Arteta has expressed sympathy for Diego Simeone after the Atletico Madrid boss lost his cool on the touchline at Anfield last month.
The Atletico boss claimed he was insulted by Liverpool fans after his side fell to a late defeat to the Premier League champions.
Simeone reacted to fans behind his dugout after Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk scored a 92nd-minute winner in Atletico’s 3-2 defeat to Liverpool.
The Argentine was hit with a one-match ban by UEFA for “unsporting conduct”, but he will be back on the touchline on Tuesday night when Atletico travel to Emirates Stadium.
Arteta, who has been known for showing passion on the touchline, has admitted it can be hard to keep your emotions in check when close to supporters.
“We are there living it with high emotions and it is difficult to control,” said Arteta.
“We get really emotional and we start to run with our players and celebrating goals.
“It is something natural and it has to be understood in a respectful way. From my experience over the years, I try to be a little bit calm but there are moments when it is not easy.
“It is, as well, because you are defending your club, your players and you want … you know, that the small details can define at the end whether you win a match or not.”
Arteta has been involved in rows on the touchline before, namely with Porto boss Sergio Conceicao during a Champions League tie two seasons ago.
The Spaniard has also lost his cool post match, infamously tearing into the officials after defeat at Newcastle, and he admitted he has worked on his behaviour.
“If you react in a way which is not good we have a responsibility to be an example,” said Arteta. “I have done it. I have made mistakes. But I try to learn and try not to do them again.”
