UCL: Real Madrid granted permission to close Santiago Bernabeu roof to raise decibel levels against Man City
Real Madrid's Santiago Bernabeu with the roof closed Photograph:( X )
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The club introduced a retractable roof to the iconic Bernabeu after spending a record $1.27 billion on renovation, which has increased the capacity of the stadium from 81,000 to 84,000, without eroding its core identity
The club introduced a retractable roof to the iconic Bernabeu after spending a record $1.27 billion on renovation, which has increased the capacity of the stadium from 81,000 to 84,000, without eroding its core identity
Spanish giants Real Madrid have been granted permission by UEFA to close the roof of Santiago Bernabeu during their Champions League quarter-final match against Manchester City on Tuesday (Apr 9) night.
The decision was taken at a meeting in the city where the UEFA delegates and match referee, François Letexier had gathered to take up the proposal. A similar nod was given to the record Champions League winners during their last-16 second-leg match against RB Leipzig, four weeks ago, which ended 1-1.
The club introduced a retractable roof to the iconic Bernabeu after spending a record $1.27 billion on renovation, which has increased the capacity of the stadium from 81,000 to 84,000, without eroding its core identity.
Madrid are hoping that the closed roof allows the fans to create an unreal atmosphere that intimidates the reigning champions, Manchester City, who arrive in the capital for the first leg of the all-important clash.
Pep Guardiola's City got the better of Madrid last season at the semifinal stage and went on to win the tournament for the first time in the club's history. A season before, Madrid completed one of the most remarkable comebacks in UCL history and eliminated City when it looked like the Premier League champions were on their way to the final.
Pep Guardiola’s side are unbeaten in their last 12 away matches in the Champions League while Real are unbeaten in their last 25 matches at home in all competitions.
ISIS threat on the match
Notably, there is a high threat perception surrounding the high-profile Champions League matches to be played mid-week. According to a report in DailyMail, the authorities in Madrid are "on alert" over ISIS planning to create chaos at the venues.
A media channel named 'The Al Azaim Foundation', responsible for spreading messages of the terror group threatened an attack in all four venues hosting this week's quarter-finals.
Apart from Bernabeu, Arsenal vs Bayern Munich takes place at the Emirates Stadium in London while the Wanda Metropolitano, home of Atletico Madrid would host Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday (Apr 10). Five-time champions Barcelona, meanwhile, travel to Parc des Princes to face Paris Saint-Germain.
According to reports, more than 3,000 members of security have been assigned to the fixtures in Spain while the Met in the UK has started monitoring those with any connection to ISIS.
