Manchester City officials believe tonight's Europa League tie with Dynamo Kiev will draw the lowest EVER crowd to Eastlands.
With a 6pm Thursday kick-off and live television coverage, there are concerns the crowd could drop below the 17,200 gate for FC Midtjylland's visit in August 2008.
That was City's last home defeat in Europe, and some feel going out to Kiev after a 2-0 loss in Ukraine last week might be a blessing, with the quarter-final taking place days before their FA Cup semi-final against Manchester United at Wembley on April 16 or 17.
A top-four finish in the Barclays Premier League is the priority, and on Sunday City will fight Chelsea for third place having played nine more games than Carlo Ancelotti's side.
Asked if a European exit might benefit him, Roberto Mancini said: "It's difficult for me to think like this. But if we go into the quarter-finals, we'll play every three days until the end of the season. This will be a problem."
