A fire broke just outside the Etihad in front of hundreds of spectators mere hours before Manchester City's UEFA Champions League match. The Premier League winners must defeat Club Brugge to advance to the knockout stages. A merchandising vehicle outside the stadium was seen on fire in a video taken mere hours before kickoff.
Shortly after the arrival of emergency services, including police and firemen, the situation was brought under control, and Manchester City fans were removed from the area as smoke filled the Etihad Stadium concourse. The fire has now canceled Manchester City's plans to formally welcome Abdukodir Khusanov, Vitor Reis, and Omar Marmoush in front of fans.
Watch the video here:
City was also scheduled to reveal their three additions outside the Colin Bell Stand at Etihad Stadium. Meanwhile, hundreds of spectators watched in disbelief as ambulances and fire engines hurried to the site. When emergency personnel extinguished the fire, the neighborhood was evacuated.
Supporters had been getting ready to enter the stadium to support the hosts. Manchester City is narrowly outside the top 16 play-off berths in 25th place in the new League Phase standings.
Manchester City poisition in UEFA Champions League
In order to advance, Pep Guardiola's team has to win because of the goal differential between their opponents. They are joined by the winners of a play-off round between ninth and twenty-fourth-place finishers, and the top eight automatically advance to the round of sixteen.
Teams who place 25th to 36th are no longer demoted to the Europa League and are removed from any European participation.
Club Brugge, who are now three points ahead of Man City, are aware that a draw would guarantee them a spot in the playoffs, and that a loss may even advance them based on other outcomes. Nicky Hayen's team is aware of the difficulty of traveling to the Etihad, but after going 20 games without a loss, they will feel secure going to Manchester.