RIVAL fans have been relishing mocking Manchester City’s pre-match atmosphere at the Etihad.
A video circulated on social media last night that showed the City team bus arriving ahead of the evening clash with Chelsea.
But as the rain poured in Manchester, the home supporters struggled to ramp up the anticipation for the eagerly-anticipated blockbuster showdown.
The clip reveals a plethora of umbrellas and raincoats as the PA announcer tries to drum up the crowd and asks them to “make some noise” for the Treble winners.
But the request was met by a deft ripple of polite applause and a few little cheers rather than a raucous roar.
The man on the microphone did his best to keep energy levels up as he announced Pep Guardiola was the first man off the bus followed by his coaching staff before Rodri walked down the soaked blue carpet.
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He then read through the rest of the City squad as they emerged down the steps of the coach and headed in through the players’ entrance at the Etihad.
Most names prompted a response from what sounded like one young child – although there was slightly more for the likes of Kevin De Bruyne and Erling Haaland.
Of course, it could be that the reception was not fully picked up by the camera filming the arrival as the sound was drowned out by the host on the microphone.
But other supporters were less sympathetic to the Club World Cup champions’ fans, who Guardiola has historically urged to create more atmosphere.
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One said: “Heard more noise in a kids classroom than that.”
Another wrote: “Got 30 seconds in and had to turn it off before I turned myself inside out cringing.”
A third added: “Can almost hear a pin drop.”
A fourth commented: “This is beyond pathetic.”
And a final user quipped: “More atmosphere at a car boot sale.”
City struggled to make much noise on the pitch once the match got underway, either.
Guardiola’s side went in at the break trailing to Chelsea thanks to ex-City forward Raheem Sterling’s fine finish.
But Rodri fired home with seven minutes remaining to rescue a point for the club chasing a fourth Premier League crown in a row.
It was a particularly frustrating evening for Haaland who failed to score with any of his NINE shots before shoving the Sky Sports camera away at full-time.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
