FCBARCELONA.CAT

19.08.2009 23:40

Record crowd for the Gamper

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The 44th edition of Trofeo Joan Gamper has seen a record crowd attracted to Camp Nou as FC Barcelona took on Manchester City in front of 94,123. Record gate receipts of around €3million were also taken.

Nobody has wanted to miss the first game of the new season at home and despite it being in the middle of what is traditionally a holiday month in the Catalan capital, the supporters flocked to the stadium to watch Pep Guardiola’s team.

Holiday time

It was 88 days since Barça’s last home game and the fans were desperate to see the team once more after such a spectacular season last time out saw the club win an unprecedented treble of the domestic title and Copa del Rey as well as lifting the Champions League trophy in Rome.

Pre-match party

Since early afternoon, people began to arrive at Camp Nou and participate in the activities that were taking place as well as enter the stadium itself and see the live music.

Player presentation

At 21:30 the Delegates’ Assembly ended and the proceedings began in earnest as the players were presented on the pitch one-by-one. On a sultry evening the fans did the club proud with no less than 94,123 turning up to see the annual encounter that carries the Barça founder’s name.