Fans have theory why Man City have brought their own water for Real Madrid clash at the Bernabeu

Manchester City brought their own water for the Champions League trip to Real Madrid and fans have a theory as to why.

In what has become a familiar fixture in European football, City take on the 15-time European champions in the Champions League knockout phase play-off second leg at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Pep Guardiola's side trail 3-2 after a late collapse at the Etihad Stadium in the first leg, where Jude Bellingham popped up with the winner.

Off the back of the 4-0 trouncing of Newcastle, City brought a near full-strength squad to the Spanish capital but also made the decision to provide their only water supplies.

El Chiringuito shared images of the bottled water, with many wondering what the purpose was.

Manchester City brought their own water to Madrid. Image: El Chiringuito

However, other fans came up with a theory which may actually make a bit of sense.

Last year, City talisman Kevin De Bruyne was absent from the quarter-final first leg, with Mateo Kovacic coming up to replace him after Guardiola said the Belgian was suffering from "vomits" as soon as he arrived at the locker room and was "unwell".

The Daily Star claimed De Bruyne formed the opinion that his sickness came as a result of something he ate in the team hotel a few hours before - though fortunately a food poisoning outbreak was avoided.

And some fans believe City took the precautionary measure for Wednesday's clash because of what happened around a year ago.

One said: "After KDB’s food poisoning last season, we can’t take any chances. Should’ve probably brought our own food as well."

A second wrote: "We won't forget the KDB incident."

A third added: "Didn’t KDB get food poisoning twice when we travelled to Madrid to play you guys?

A fourth commented: "The fact that man city aren't sure the water is safe to drink tells a lot about the Real Madrid as a club."

De Bruyne has been named on the bench for the second leg this time around, along with Erling Haaland. Haaland, who scored twice in the first leg limped off with a knee injury against Newcastle and it was decided the Norwegian is not fit enough to start.