Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has rubbished claims that assistant coach Mikel Arteta was involved in a tunnel bust-up with Lionel Messi following the Champions League win over Barcelona.
Reports in Spain emerged in the aftermath of the Citizens' impressive 3-1 victory at the Etihad Stadium suggesting that Messi let his frustrations get the better of him post-match.
It was claimed that the Barca superstar was unhappy with a penalty call that went against him following a challenge from Fernandinho, and was also upset by the manner of Arteta's celebrations when heading off the pitch.
However, Guardiola says that such claims are "impossible" due to the respect that Arteta - who came through Barcelona's youth team ranks but failed to break into the first team - has for the Catalan club.
"I spoke with Arteta and it is impossible what happened," he told reporters. "Mikel admires FC Barcelona and Messi a lot. It's impossible that incident happened with Mikel Arteta. First you said it was Fernandinho, now it's Arteta - impossible!"
Victory for City - their first in six attempts against Barcelona - leaves them second in Group C with two games left to play.
Daniel Lewis
