Man City fans party in Istanbul ahead of the Champions League final
Thousands of Manchester City fans take to the streets of Istanbul as they chant and drink ahead of their Champions League final against Inter Milan
- Manchester City’s players touched down in Istanbul for the final on Thursday
- They were quickly joined by the first wave of supporters, who drank and sang
- Thousands more will join them with the club’s date with destiny approaching
Manchester City supporters have started the party early after touching down in Istanbul ahead of tomorrow’s Champions League final against Inter Milan.
Pep Guardiola’s all-conquering side will look to immortalise themselves in history with a remarkable Treble on the line at the Ataturk Olympic Stadium, and they come into the showdown against their Serie A opponents as the heavy favourites.
City’s players arrived yesterday to check into their hotel and countless fans have also followed them across to Turkey prior to the final. Supporters wasted no time in hitting the tiles and sampling the local bars and clubs.
The first wave was seen wandering around the city centre and settling off sparklers, and they will quickly be joined by thousands of other supporters.
The atmosphere in the city is ramping up ahead of the showpiece contest on Saturday, with the City faithful hoping to see their team win the Champions League for the first time.
Manchester City supporters have arrived in Istanbul ahead of the Champions League final
Fans started the party (left to right: Colette Howe, Sam Howe, Megan Heart and Mike Howe)
The first wave will be joined by countless other fans (left to right: Kevin Ryan and Liam Ryan)
One supporter, Kevin Ryan, 45, flew to Istanbul with his father, Liam, 74.
Speaking to PA in front of the large inflatable Champions League trophy in Taksim Square, Liam admitted he plans to party should City win, albeit without drinking.
‘It’s in the middle of nowhere,’ he said. ‘You can’t drink in the stadium… two hours before the game kicks off, no more drink.
‘At least we’ll remember the game. That’s always nice, isn’t it?’
He then added: ‘We’re the best team in Europe, if not the world. We should (win), but you never know, it’s football.’
The Howe family also jetted out from Manchester and were drinking at a nearby pub.
Outside the Irish bar, staff and supporters alike lit several sparklers outside.
Sam Howe, 25, said he will stay up through the night if City are victorious.
Supporters sang and chanted in videos posted on social media after they touched down
A giant inflatable Champions League trophy reminded City supporters what is at stake
‘We’re on the plane back at 5am, so straight through, keep drinking,’ he said.
His mother, Collette, has also taken to the city, although would not typically have travelled there except to witness City look to break their European drought.
‘We wouldn’t have come here but for City playing here but we like it in here, and we like the music,’ she said. ‘They’ve got City music on.’
City’s squad and backroom team had arrived in Turkey on Thursday after travelling by private club jet and were greeted by supporters and tournament representatives on the tarmac.
There was a notable split in outfits between the players and staff, with both sets donning sponsored styles as they disembarked into the humid heat.
Guardiola and his coaches sported all-black outfits consisting of smart leather shoes, a polo top and a formal jacket, which City’s manager opted to carry.
Players, meanwhile, were dressed in denim jeans and white polo shirts.
City’s squad touched down on Thursday in eye-catching outfits before heading to their hotel
City manager Pep Guardiola (right) was handed a bouquet of flowers upon the arrival in Turkey
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