Manchester City’s social media team were left with egg on their face after this tweet welcoming the Roma team and their iconic captain Francesco Totti to England.
We're looking forward to hosting you @OfficialASRoma, and a legendary player such as Totti. He's never scored in England, has he? #CityvRoma
— Manchester City (@ManCity) September 30, 2014
So much of the message was fine. “We're looking forward to hosting you AS Roma” was a nice start as was referring to “a legendary player such as Totti.”
But then to add on “He's never scored in England, has he?”
Oh dear.
Some of their own fans immediately realised the danger of the comment.
@mcfcliam1 @MCFC @OfficialASRoma Typical City. Time to lump on Totti hattrick
— Elliot (@MCFC_EW) September 30, 2014
@MCFC @OfficialASRoma Well I believe that's called tempting fate.
— Football Idiot (@UK_FootyTipster) September 30, 2014
The match started well for the home side - they took an early lead thanks to a Sergio Aguero penalty.
But, as the City fans had feared, the writing was on the wall and in the 23rd minute Totti scored to equalise the game and become the oldest Champions League scorer in history.
The match ended in a 1-1 draw.
In fairness to Roma, they didn’t rub it in
much.Thanks for the hospitality @MCFC. A great @ChampionsLeague game, nice English weather and a first for Totti! See you back in Rome #CityvRoma
— AS Roma (@OfficialASRoma) September 30, 2014