Manchester City fans pour into Istanbul ready to see off City-itis
The Guardian As they introduced their sky blue shirts to Istanbuls blue mosque and posed beside a giant cup on Taksim Square, there was a question on the lips of many of the older fans in particular: could this really be the moment they officially vanquish the curse of City-itis?
A win on Saturday evening against Internazionale of Italy in Istanbuls 75,000-capacity Atatrk Olympic Stadium will not only deliver Manchester City their first Champions League the clubs second piece of European silverware in its 140 year history but complete what newspapers are duty bound to report as the historic treble: a slam-dunk haul of the Uefa Champions League, FA Cup and Premier League title.
How they compare: Manchester United 1998-99 and Manchester City 2022-23
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It is a feat achieved only once before by an English side, and that was by their local rivals Manchester United, in the 1998-99 season when City were at their lowest ebb, fighting to get out of the third tier of the domestic leagues.
High on the back of cruising past Arsenal in the league and United in the FA Cup final last weekend, City are far and away the bookmakers favourites, and opposing fans generally have a feeling for what is to come.
