Modern football, in case you weren’t already aware, can be a bit of an embarrassment.
Only recently we showed you how one Liverpool supporter had launched an impassioned argument against the gentrification of the sport. Speaking critically of a number of things – from corporate boxes to selfie stick-wielding ‘fans’ – the video of the man seemed to really strike a chord with many.
If, like the man in the video, you’re growing tired of the way the game is going, you’re almost certainly guaranteed to hate what happened prior to kick off at the Etihad on Tuesday evening.
A while before Manchester City and Monaco treated viewers to a masterclass in how not to defend, fans lined up either side of a newly-installed catwalk entrance outside the stadium.
Here's the latest addition to the Man City pre-match experience – a catwalk entrance for the players. It's wet. Hope they don't slip! #mcfc pic.twitter.com/8wB0loKoPK
— Andy Hampson (@andyhampson) February 21, 2017
With City’s team coach arriving outside the ground, each player was cheered and applauded down the purpose-built walkway by fans and club mascot alike. It also seems that someone with a microphone was on hand to announce each player’s name.
Quite an entrance made on the new walkway!
Get more from behind the scenes on our Instagram Story (@ManCity) #cityvmonaco pic.twitter.com/SfCkJpf4w7
— Manchester City (@ManCity) February 21, 2017
Unsurprisingly, news of the catwalk was enough to make football fan blood boil.
Please tell me the Man City players & staff didn't use a fucking catwalk to enter the stadium tonight??
— Gerry (@Germufc) February 21, 2017
man city gettin a catwalk for the players entrance into the etihad is the levels of bullshit thats making me fall out of love with the sport
— Reubs (@rbnalv7) February 21, 2017
https://twitter.com/rossatron8/status/834134659697086464?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
https://twitter.com/AdamMayhew1984/status/834126811726483456?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Fortunately, what proved to be one of the most memorable Champions League matches in recent years was enough to take some peoples’ minds off it.