More than 20,000 seats were empty at the Etihad Stadium as City beat AEK Athens 5-1 in the Champions League on Tuesday night.
City confirmed an attendance of 40,042 for the victory, well below the 61,000 capacity of their newly expanded stadium, with large areas of empty seating visible during the game.
The turnout attracted attention despite an emphatic performance from Enzo Maresca’s side, with Phil Foden scoring a hat-trick as City responded to their defeat by Paris Saint-Germain in their previous Champions League fixture. Elliot Anderson opened the scoring with his first goal for the club before Foden doubled the advantage. Stavros Pilios pulled one back for AEK shortly after half-time, but Rayan Cherki restored City’s two-goal cushion before Foden completed his treble.
Maresca responds to Man City attendance
Asked about the crowd after the game, Maresca focused on the backing his side received from those who were at the Etihad.
“I think the ones in the stadium were good,” he said. “The last game against Ipswich they were top.”
Maresca also pointed towards City’s forthcoming home matches against Brighton and said he had no doubt the atmosphere would be strong again. The attendance was a notable departure from City’s other home fixtures this season. Their previous Premier League and Champions League matches at the Etihad had attracted crowds above 60,000, although around 32,000 attended September’s Carabao Cup tie against Norwich City.
Tuesday’s figure came on a significant European night for City, with the AEK fixture marking their 150th appearance in the Champions League. Foden ensured the occasion was memorable on the pitch. His treble was the fourth hat-trick of his City career and helped Maresca’s side move on to six points from their opening three league-phase matches.
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