The Real Madrid team bus that brought the Spanish club’s squad to Anfield for Wednesday’s second game of the Champions League quarter-final against Liverpool was hit by a missile on its way to the stadium, smashing a window.
The coach, supplied by a UK-based company rather than Madrid’s usual match bus, was left with a reinforced window shattered by sources who described to ESPN as a bottle thrown by a group of supporters who joined the two teams. saw the stadium coming.
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Security officials at Anfield tried to prevent the media from filming and photographing the vehicle while it was parked within the stadium’s perimeter.
But ESPN was able to take two photos of the damage before being asked to leave by flight attendants.
A Liverpool spokesman said: “We unequivocally condemn the actions that resulted in damage to the Real Madrid team bus during its arrival at Anfield tonight. It is totally unacceptable and shameful behavior by a few individuals.”
Emilio Butragueno, Director of Institutional Relations at Real Madrid, told Spanish TV channel Movistar: “It’s a shame. The truth is, it’s a shame this happened.
“This is a celebration for football, Liverpool vs. Real Madrid, it is one of the best matches a fan can watch. It’s a shame. The relationship between the clubs is really good, the Liverpool directors have apologized, and now. we will focus on the game. “
The incident bears a resemblance to an attack on the Manchester City team bus in 2018, when the coach was hit by missiles and badly damaged ahead of a Champions League quarter-final at Anfield.