Manchester City crushed AEK Athens 5-1 in the Champions League, but what drew attention was not only the spectacle on the pitch. There were more than 20,000 empty seats in the stands of the Etihad Stadium, bringing back into focus the fans’ irony about the English club’s difficulties in filling the stadium.
The Champions League is the competition in which fans usually eagerly wait to secure a ticket to follow their team. But the situation appears different in Manchester, at least when it comes to some league phase matches.
Manchester City confirmed that the match against AEK Athens, won by a convincing 5-1, was attended by 40,042 spectators, a figure significantly lower than the stadium’s capacity, which can hold over 60,000 fans.
Footage published from the Etihad Stadium showed entire stands with empty seats, especially in the upper part of the stadium. A stark contrast with the spectacle that Pep Guardiola’s side delivered on the pitch.
Why didn’t fans fill the stadium?
One of the possible reasons relates to the importance fans attach to this match. AEK Athens was not considered an opponent of the same level as European giants and, for some supporters, the journey to the stadium on a cold, rainy evening may not have seemed worth the expense.
Another factor is the not always smooth relationship between Manchester City and UEFA. The English club has had clashes and disciplinary issues with European football’s governing body, while at Champions League matches City fans have from time to time expressed their dissatisfaction during the competition’s anthem.
