Pep Guardiola has thanked the Manchester City fans for the reception they gave the team coach as it arrived at the Etihad before the Champions League semi-final with PSG.
Hundreds of City fans lined Ashton New Road before 6.30pm as the coach made the short journey from the training ground to the Etihad, serenading the coach and setting off blue smoke bombs despite the heavy rain.
While the second leg of the semi-final was played out at empty Etihad, the show of support delighted Guardiola, who was only disappointed that the celebrations at the end of the 2-0 win occurred behind closed doors.
City's fans have had a complicated relationship with the Champions League but the scenes before kick-off suggested they had been won over by Guardiola, who has guided the Blues to their first-ever European Cup final.
A Riyad Mahrez double secured City's 2-0 win, and a 4-1 success on aggregate, and they will face Chelsea or Real Madrid in Istanbul at the end of May.
After a historic night at the Etihad, Guardiola dedicated victory to the supporters and thanked those who lined the streets in awful weather.
"I have to say it was social distanced but we loved it. We lost a quarter-final against Tottenham, the crowd suffered and we enjoyed it one minute and then suffered. It’s nice to be in a final but we missed them," he said.
"Of course, it was so weird playing in empty stadium. This achievement belongs [to our fans], requires our people there. The club belongs to the people.
"We are here for a period but the fans always stay. Next season the doors are open and they have to support these players, what they’ve done is incredible in the toughest year. Being so close to Premier League and in final of Champions League is so good."
