Only 40,111 fans attended Manchester City's opening Champions League fixture against Lyon on Wednesday night.The French club pulled off a shock at the Etihad Stadium, securing a 2-1 victory to inflict a first defeat of the season on the Premier League champions.Europe's elite competition usually draws huge interest - but that can not be said for Man City fans.CARDIFF TO BEAT MAN CITY (19/1) BET HERE!18+, Terms & Conditions apply, www.begambleaware.orgWith Pep Guardiola serving a one-match touchline ban, Mikel Arteta was put in charge and the former Arsenal midfielder spoke about the home supporters after the 2-1 defeat.“I wouldn’t like to use that as an excuse, we had that type of crowd in the Champions League before and we were able to win,” Arteta said.“The ideal is to have a full stadium every time and being behind the team like crazy but we know sometimes it doesn’t happen.”There were more than 13,000 empty seats on Wednesday night.

Embarrassing reason given

Kevin Parker, the general secretary of Man City's official supporters group, offered an explanation for the poor attendance.

"We were in Pot one this year and because of that we ended up with Lyons, Shakhtar and Hoffenheim," said Parker, as per The Times.

"No disrespect to them but none of them really are a game that you think "wow, that is going to be a cracker'."

It's rather arrogant to have said this after losing at home to Lyon.

Guardiola has not won the Champions League since 2011 but he insists he would prefer to win the league instead.

Upon being asked - at the end of the 2017/18 season - if he would prefer to win the Premier League or the Champions League next season, Guardiola said: "Premier League. No doubt.

"It will be a huge mistake to think: 'OK now we have the Premier League, we are now going to go for the Champions League instead'. Big mistake.

"To be out of the Champions League and win the Premier League again, I'd sign it now. The Premier League is the most important thing. It gives you the consistency to arrive at the right moment, the Champions League is so complicated the opponents are so good, all of them.

"The Premier League is the most important thing."

The Citizens have never won the Champions League - and the attitude surrounding the competition is unlikely to help them achieve glory.