Man City fans party in Istanbul ahead of the Champions League final
Thousands of Manchester City fans take to the streets of Istanbul singing and drinking ahead of their Champions League final against Inter Milan
- The players of Manchester City arrived in Istanbul on Thursday for the final
- They were soon joined by the first wave of supporters, drinking and singing
- Thousands more will join them with the club date and fate approaching
Manchester City supporters got an early start to the celebrations after landing in Istanbul ahead of tomorrow’s Champions League final against Inter Milan.
Pep Guardiola’s all-conquering side will look to immortalize themselves in history with a remarkable Treble on the line at the Ataturk Olympic Stadium as they head off against their Serie A opponents as firm favourites.
City’s players arrived to check into their hotel yesterday and countless fans have followed them to Turkey ahead of the final. Supporters wasted no time hitting the tiles and sampling the local bars and clubs.
The first wave was seen roaming the city center setting off sparklers, and soon thousands of other supporters will join them.
The mood in the city rises ahead of Saturday’s showpiece match, with the City faithful hoping their team win the Champions League for the first time.
Manchester City supporters have arrived in Istanbul in the run-up to 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 giant inflatable Champions League trophy in Taksim Square, Liam admitted he plans to party if 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 starts, no more drinking.
“At least we will remember the game. That’s always fun, isn’t it?’
He added: “We are the best team in Europe, if not the world. We have to (win), but you never know, it’s football.’
The Howe family also flew in from Manchester and drank in a nearby pub.
Outside the Irish bar, both staff and supporters lit several sparklers outside.
Sam Howe, 25, said he will stay up all night if City are victorious.
Supporters chanted and chanted in videos posted to social media after they landed
A giant inflatable Champions League trophy reminded City supporters what is at stake
“We’ll be on the plane back at 5 so straight on, keep drinking,” he said.
His mother, Collette, has also gone to the City, though she wouldn’t normally have traveled there except to watch City try to break their European drought.
“We wouldn’t have come here if City hadn’t played here, but we like it here and we like the music,” she said. “They have city music.”
City’s side and backroom team had arrived in Turkey on Thursday after traveling 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 in the humid heat.
Guardiola and his coaches wore all-black outfits consisting of smart leather shoes, a polo shirt and a formal jacket, which City’s manager chose to wear.
Players, meanwhile, were dressed in jeans and white polo shirts.
City’s side landed in striking outfits on Thursday before heading to their hotel
City manager Pep Guardiola (right) was presented with a bunch of flowers upon arrival in Turkey