Tonight’s Champions League Group F tie between Manchester City and Lyon will be a mouth-watering affair for me and no doubt, for you. However, reports circulating the Blues social media circuit suggests come the 8 pm kick-off the Etihad is going to have plenty of empty seats.
Lyon will have 600 fans, VIP included, at the Etihad Stadium tonight. [L'Equipe] pic.twitter.com/cPI0tzyhCp
— City Watch (@City_Watch) September 19, 2018
For various reasons, explained by City Watch a mere 600 away fans are expected for the clubs opening UCL fixture. If the news is real, then I for one will be disappointed. I mean, come on.
I have no idea how many home tickets have been sold, but we’ll soon find out.
Possible reasons
The City club website posted the following message.
Changes to Hillkirk Street vehicle access post match
“Due to increased footfall post-match, supporters who park in and around the Philips Park Road area will no longer be able to drive along Hillkirk Street for a limited time after the match. We advise that you use Cambrian Street and follow the signs for the diversion. The restriction will be lifted as soon as it is safe to do so.”
Weather forecast
The Met Office says the strongest winds will ease, but it will stay windy with plenty of clear spells and just the odd shower. Turning cloudier through the early hours with rain arriving into the south. Minimum temperature 10 °C.
Televised game
BT Sport is broadcasting live in the UK. Although the company shows every Champions League game, live I doubt this will have any effect on the number of tickets sold.
Lack of interest
Are Blues expecting City to brush Lyon aside?
If you are an Etihad regular but have decided to give tonight’s match a miss, we’d love to hear your reasoning.