Man City fans defy social distancing to welcome coach before Real Madrid clash

Man City fans defy social distancing guidelines to welcome team coach before Real Madrid clash… as Pep Guardiola’s men are inspired to book place in Champions League quarters

  • Manchester City fans took to the streets to rally their side ahead of a huge clash 
  • City faced Real Madrid at the Etihad and progressed in the Champions League 
  • Fans defied social distancing to greet the team bus, let off flares and chant 
  • It inspired Pep Guardiola’s side, who now face Lyon in the quarter-finals stage 

Manchester City fans put social distancing measures to one side on Friday night as they headed to the Etihad to provide their side with a heavy dose of inspiration.

A small group of fans congregated outside the ground, along the route which the team coach takes on a match-day.

As the vehicle full of City’s first team stars pulled closer fans spilled out into the road, setting off sky blue flares and chanting in full voice. 

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Man City fans put social distancing measures to one side as they greeted the coach on Friday

Man City fans put social distancing measures to one side as they greeted the coach on Friday

Supporters spilled into the road, chanting City songs and setting off sky blue flares

Supporters spilled into the road, chanting City songs and setting off sky blue flares

The coach was momentarily halted as fans packed around all sides, singing and filming along

The coach was momentarily halted as fans packed around all sides, singing and filming along

City, like all other clubs during the coronavirus pandemic, had issued warnings to their supporters to stay away from the stadium and watch the match from the comfort of home.

The efforts of the greeting party clearly had impact however, as City once again inflicted defeat upon Zinedine Zidane’s Madrid with an overall 4-2 aggregate scoreline.

Raheem Sterling and Gabriel Jesus were among the goals, as a sloppy Madrid performance saw star defender Raphael Varane commit two embarrassing blunders. 

Following the match Guardiola praised his players, but urged for the club to avoid showing a small mentality by assuming the main job obstacle has now been navigated.

Guardiola said: ‘The big clubs lift titles. To get to the quarter-finals is good, knocking Real out means we are aware that we can do it. We’ve not had a lot of presence in Europe as a club so this is important.

‘It’s just one step and if we think this is enough it shows we are a small team. You have to beat the big teams – Real, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Liverpool. We’ve beaten Real twice. Zinedine Zidane never loses knockout games.’

City harried Madrid all night and Gabriel Jesus capitalised to score the match-winning goal

City harried Madrid all night and Gabriel Jesus capitalised to score the match-winning goal

But Pep Guardiola wants his side to avoid looking like a small team by thinking the job is done

But Pep Guardiola wants his side to avoid looking like a small team by thinking the job is done 

City now progress to the Lisbon tournament stage of the Champions League latter rounds, as brought into practice amid the global pandemic.

Guardiola’s side will go up against French giants Lyon, who have booked their place after overcoming Italian royalty Juventus.

City and Lyon will face off in a one-match fixture, bidding for a place in the semi-finals of the competition.

City have never reached the last four, and could come up against the likes of Bayern Munich or Guardiola’s former club Barcelona should they progress.

source: dailymail.co.uk