“Nobody in the media actually realised” – Manchester City fans behind ‘Stop crying your heart out’ banner explain truth | OneFootball

The Manchester City supporters group behind the ‘Stop crying your heart out’ banner unveiled prior to the 2-3 defeat to Real Madrid have explained the reasoning behind it.

The pre-match unveiling of the message in the Etihad Stadium’s South Stand grabbed all the headlines both during the game and either side of an enthralling 90 minutes on the pitch within English and Spanish media.

Prior to kick-off, confirmation of the banner had seemingly reached the Real Madrid camp, with it reported within Spanish media that the La Liga giants were ‘not bothered’ by the impending message and that Vinicius Jr himself had found extra ‘motivation’ to star.

And for the most part of the contest, all seemed to be going in the direction of Manchester City, until the Premier League champions conceded two goals in quick succession to lose 2-3 on the night and see Vinicius Jr handed UEFA’s Player of the Match award.

Unsurprisingly, Real Madrid fans, rival supporters, and those in the media were keen to point out the banner that was unveiled pre-match, although it seems as though the intended target of the message has been mistaken.

Explaining the decision behind their banner on social media after Tuesday night’s clash with Real Madrid, the ‘1894 Group’ said, “Nobody in the media actually realised that the person the banner targeted was not even on the pitch? Florentino Perez.”

The group continued, “It’s him who instigated a slur campaign against Rodri and boycott of the (Ballon d’Or) ceremony by his club’s players.

“Point needed making whatever the result of the game.”

Manchester City will have the immediate opportunity for revenge when they take on Real Madrid in the second-leg of the last-16 play-off tie in the Spanish capital next week, requiring to win by a two-goal margin to progress.

Between now and then, Premier League action returns for Pep Guardiola and his players as Newcastle United travel to the Etihad Stadium on Saturday afternoon, buoyed by the return of Anthony Gordon and the possibility of starting Dan Burn despite recent fitness concerns.