Last night, Man City fans created a humorous Champions League tifo with a reference to a local bus service.
If you've ever lived in Manchester, or indeed anywhere near the city, you'll know the 192 bus. The service runs from Manchester City centre to Hazel Grove in Stockport down the main A6 road.
The bus runs regularly and until late in the night, meaning that many local people have experienced some interesting scenes on the 192, particularly on Friday and Saturday nights.
Manchester City display before the Real Madrid game tonight. #MCFC pic.twitter.com/bqlCWn6t7Z
— Football Away Days (@AwayDays_) April 17, 2024
One of the main sights – or perhaps we should say smells – along the 192 route is the McVities biscuit factory which is located just over the Manchester border into Stockport at Heaton Chapel.
The tifo prominently features Phil Foden, who is himself from Stockport, although it remains to be seen whether he has ever experienced the infamous 192 bus.
Man City fans ridiculed over bus tifo
Their display at the Etihad Stadium last night may have been light-hearted, but Man City fans have faced plenty of ridicule for it online from fellow supporters. While some of Europe's most intimidating fanbases regularly create stunning tifos prior to big European nights, City's 192 bus effort left a lot to be desired.
One fan said: “Oh my days! City are the most manufactured, cringe-worthy, pathetic, cheating club in world football. That is truly pathetic. I thought I was watching CBeebies for a moment!”
Another fan took to social media to post: “Thank God. Just as it was looking like United were about to finish the season as the most embarrassing club.”
A third added: “They should've been knocked out for this before a ball was kicked.”
One football fan even took the time to make an alternative version of the bus, which drew a lot of attention online. In this version, the bus is seen going in reverse – a jibe at the club and their fans after they were knocked out of Europe by Real Madrid last night.
Here you go pic.twitter.com/bF6YIQi3UX
— blep (@FreudianBlip) April 17, 2024
Destination Wembley for Man City fans
Although Man City were knocked out of the Champions League by Real Madrid on Wednesday night, they do still have a day at Wembley to look forward to, albeit not for the Champions League final.
The Blues take on Chelsea on Saturday in the FA Cup semi-finals, a match that now takes on extra significance after their dream of a double treble ended at the hands of Jude Bellingham and Co last night.