One of the Premier League’s top sides will rename their stadium this week ahead of a crucial Premier League clash with massive ramifications
Manchester City will rename the Etihad Stadium this week for the Premier League clash with Brentford.
Signage throughout the venue will showcase ‘The City in the Community Etihad Stadium’ as part of the continued acknowledgement of the club’s official charity. City in the Community (CITC) will feature prominently across matchday in several different ways beyond the stadium’s temporary name change.
The squad will emerge wearing jackets displaying the charity’s logo, Ruben Dias has recorded travel announcements for buses and trams serving matchday routes, and the player graphics across social media have been created by local schoolchildren.
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While CITC receives backing throughout the year through both financial contributions and a prominent presence, one matchday is selected annually to highlight everything the charity accomplishes and this season’s event will take place on Saturday for the Brentford fixture.
Pep Guardiola’s team will be eager to commemorate the occasion with victory as they attempt to maintain the Premier League title race.
Mike Geary, CEO of CITC, said: “Community Matchday is a moment in the season where everyone connected to Manchester City comes together to celebrate the impact of City in the Community. From supporters in the stands to staff, partners and participants, it’s a powerful reminder of what can be achieved when a football club and its community unite behind a shared purpose.
“We are incredibly grateful to the men’s squad for their continued generosity and commitment to our charity. To receive this donation for the second year running means a great deal to everyone at City in the Community, and more importantly, to the young people it will support.”
City have the chance to close the gap to Arsenal to two points before the Gunners travel to west London to take on relegation-threatened West Ham.
Guardiola’s side lost the initiative in the title race they gained by beating Arsenal last month after they had to rescue a last-gasp 3-3 draw away at Everton on Monday despite leading 1-0 at half-time.
City still hold a game in hand over Arsenal, away at Bournemouth, but City can no longer win the title without the Gunners slipping up in any of their remaining three Premier League games before taking on PSG in the Champions League final.