Manchester City chairman Khaldoon al Mubarak has lavished praise on the club’s fans for the way they turned the Etihad Stadium into a fortress in the Champions League.
City enjoyed the most special season in 2022/23, winning an historic Treble.
The final game against Inter saw Rodri pop up in the second-half to score the only goal of the game.
The Spaniard wrote his name into the City history books, and the overwhelming sense since the referee blew the final whistle is relief in the eyes of Khaldoon.
The Champions League trophy has been the ultimate objective for many years for City.
It had evaded them for so long, but the first one has now finally landed at the Etihad.
And Khaldoon noticed this season that the fans really played their part
Khaldoon Al Mubarak feels Man City fans made Etihad a fortress in the Champions League
Khaldoon sat down with the club’s media team to do an interview, as he tends to do after every season.
He reflected on the work that has gone into making this team, and this club, such a success.
And early on in the interview, he pointed to the fans as a huge reason for the player’s finally delivering that elusive Champions League trophy.
He said (via mancity.com): “There’s a consistency in our performances in the Champions League. I think as a team we are very mature and as an organisation and as a club overall.
“I think our fans… one of the great things… particularly this season I found. How they embraced the Champions League. The atmosphere at the Etihad this year, really – and I think it’s something for all of us to take for the future – it’s become truly a fortress.
“What the fans give to the team spills over into the performances.
“The Etihad is becoming what we always hoped for, which is truly the 12th man we always needed. The players appreciate it, the coaches appreciate it, and we appreciate it.”
Khaldoon Al Mubarak’s sentiments about the Man City fans are appreciated
It is nice to hear this acknowledgement for the fans from Khaldoon.
It genuinely comes across like he and everyone behind the scenes are really grateful for the support.
And he’s not wrong.
This season, especially in the Champions League, the Etihad has been absolutely rocking.
Perhaps the sense that true greatness could be achieved was the main driving factor behind those fantastic noise levels.
