Pep Guardiola issued a plea for more Manchester City fans to turn up to games, with ‘Emptyhad’ jokes out in full force yet again during their Champions League opener.
City treated supporters to a goal fest in their opening game of the new European campaign, smashing RB Leipzig 6-3 in a rip roaring end-to-end encounter.
But thousands of City fans missed out on watching the action first-hand, with swathes of light blue seen around the Etihad Stadium, indicating empty seats.
City’s ground was less than three quarters full for the Champions League clash, and fans watching on TV noticed a huge difference in atmosphere compared to the evening’s other English tie, as Liverpool beat AC Milan.
The Kop was rocking as the Reds again came from behind to beat the Italians in a repeat of the 2005 and 2007 finals at a packed Anfield, but in Manchester official figure state only 38,062 showed up for City.
It left Guardiola to plead with the Citizens faithful to pack out their 55,000-capacity stadium, starting with their next home game in the Premier League against Southampton.
According to figures from Transfermarkt, the last time the Etihad Stadium was sold out for a Premier League game was during the 2016/17 season.
And after a stunning start to the campaign, with the ruthless defending champions scoring 16 goals in their three games at home in all competitions so far, it appears Guardiola can’t understand why more fans aren’t turning up.
“The last three games we've played here we've scored 16 goals. I would like more people to come to the next game on Saturday,” said the City boss after the 6-3 victory.
“We need the people, please, because we will be tired.
“I know the team from Ralph [Hasenhuttl] is quite similar, the way they play. They're so dangerous and it's a really important game.
“So I invite all our people to come next Saturday at 3pm to watch.”
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