Hundreds of PSG fans light flares ahead of clash with Manchester City

Hundreds of PSG fans light flares and create fiery a atmosphere outside their team’s hotel to greet Kylian Mbappe and Co ahead of their Champions League semi-final showdown with Manchester City, despite France still being in its third national lockdown

  • PSG fans gathered outside the team’s hotel ahead of clash with Manchester City
  • Hundreds of supporters let off flares and chanted as the team left the hotel
  • Mauricio Pochettino’s side take on City in the first leg of their semi-final clash
  • France is still in its third national lockdown with restrictions to be eased in May 

Paris Saint-Germain fans lined the streets outside the team hotel and let off flares as they created a raucous atmosphere ahead of their side’s Champions League showdown with Manchester City.

Hundreds of PSG fans gathered outside the club’s accommodation in Rueil-Malmaison in the hours before kick-off and started to generate a fiery atmosphere before the team bus arrived.

The French side’s fans lit flares to greet the likes of Kylian Mbappe, Neymar and Angel Di Maria as they made their way from their hotel to the stadium before their clash with Pep Guardiola’s side.

Paris Saint-Germain fans lined the streets outside their team's hotel on Wednesday night

Paris Saint-Germain fans lined the streets outside their team’s hotel on Wednesday night

Fans gathered in large numbers to greet the PSG players before their clash with Man City

Fans gathered in large numbers to greet the PSG players before their clash with Man City

Fans light flares in front of the players' bus as they leave their hotel in Rueil-Malmaison

Fans light flares in front of the players’ bus as they leave their hotel in Rueil-Malmaison

France is still in a national lockdown but fans were not put off by attending the team's hotel

France is still in a national lockdown but fans were not put off by attending the team’s hotel

Fans let off plenty of flares in the streets as they unfurled banners to support their players

Fans let off plenty of flares in the streets as they unfurled banners to support their players

The Champions League semi-final first leg will be played in front of an empty Parc des Princes because of Covid-19 restrictions but that did not stop fans from gathering outside. 

France is still in a national lockdown but hundreds of fans, most of whom appeared to be wearing masks, greeted the PSG squad.

France entered their third national lockdown at the end of March after suffering a spike in Covid-19 deaths and infections.

However, French president Emmanuel Macron will announce on Friday how measures can start to be eased next month.

Earlier in the day a banner was displayed by PSG fans next to the Parc des Princes above Boulevard Peripherique, a ring road that goes past the club’s stadium. It read: ‘Shine for the city of light’.  

PSG’s fans are known for their passionate and dedicated support. Police were even forced to use tear gas and baton charges on thousands of supporters in the wake of last season’s Champions League final defeat.

Riots erupted after PSG were beaten by Bayern Munich in Lisbon and even a car that had been parked on the Champs Elysee was pictured on fire after the game. 

Earlier in the day a banner was displayed by PSG fans, next to the Parc des Princes above Boulevard Peripherique. It read: 'Shine for the city of light'

Earlier in the day a banner was displayed by PSG fans, next to the Parc des Princes above Boulevard Peripherique. It read: ‘Shine for the city of light’

Later on, smokes filled the air as the PSG bus made its way from the hotel to the stadium

Later on, smokes filled the air as the PSG bus made its way from the hotel to the stadium

PSG fans were desperate to make themselves heard after not being allowed into the game

PSG fans were desperate to make themselves heard after not being allowed into the game

Things looked to be more controlled on Wednesday night, even though the PSG fans were desperate to make themselves heard after not being allowed into the game.

Meanwhile, PSG were handed a major boost before kick off when it was announced defender Marquinhos was fit enough to start against City.

The Brazilian has been missing with an adductor problem but was restored to Mauricio Pochettino’s line-up on Wednesday night.

Speaking ahead of the game, former Tottenham manager Pochettino was complimentary of Guardiola and described him as an ‘amazing coach’.

‘For me, he is the best,’ said Pochettino, 49. ‘I admire him and think he is doing a fantastic job not only at Manchester City but in Barcelona and Bayern Munich.

‘He is an amazing, intelligent coach, always thinking of different strategies and game-plans. I love to challenge him and the teams he prepared.

‘Not only the best manager. The club is important, too. A club that trusts you to build a team and provides you with all the tools to be successful. That is the combination at Manchester City between Pep, the coaching staff, the club, the board, everyone.

‘They create an amazing structure, very solid, and a very clear idea of how they need to act to be successful.’  

source: dailymail.co.uk