Not Premier League but went to the Man City v RB Leipzig game last night. The contrast between that and my usual football fare these days couldn't be more stark.
There were light shows, City's own 'presenters' at pitch-side, specially-filmed introductions of the players. It was like the NFL.
Great for kids I suppose.
It's a funny atmosphere in there. Maybe a lot of Premier League clubs are like this now, but it felt a bit soulless. Man City were never like that when I first went. The lad did get to do the 'Poznan' at one point but after the break half the crowd were still not in their seats. And then there were people who started leaving 10 minutes before the end.
We had amazing seats. Padded ones.
They were just in front of Guardiola's family box. Think Fendi and Balenciaga.
The football was another world from watching Town too. Haaland isn't human. He's built like an RL player, fast and has a great touch. But his real skill is his ability to find space and be in the right place at the right time.
Before he fell asleep, Jim and I were guessing how many goals he'd score in the Vanarama. Our Jim reckoned 60-plus. Hard to argue against it, although he agreed with be that he might not break the 20 mark before some journeyman at Sutton or Scunthorpe two-footed him.
He may have picked the wrong team but he was so excited I can live with it.
The eldest was asking about tickets for Altrincham FC away in the FA Trophy this morning. Chalk and cheese.
