Something caught my eye during Manchester City’s Champions League encounter with Basel on Tuesday, and it wasn’t Amazonian fish-frog god Bernardo Silva. I saw it on City’s Twitter page — a beautiful little animation of their own and Basel’s badges before the game.
Like a good sports hack reporter boy, I had to know more. Had they done this before? Yes. Had they been doing this since the start of the season? Yes.
Okay.
So I went through their Twitter account, which brought me as far back as December 27. So then I went to their website, went through every game's Matchday Center and scrolled to the very beginning of the proceedings in the hopes of capturing these precious gifs.
Like working in the iron ore mines on the Mesabi Range of Minnesota, it was difficult work, and I almost died when the mine collapsed. But here are all the gifs in all their glory, more precious than taconite.
Basel
Coming in loud and clear from !
For team news, build-up and more...Match Centre: https://t.co/eDmAQGJTF0 #fcbvcity pic.twitter.com/IuP5C63fdl
— Manchester City (@ManCity) February 13, 2018
Leicester City
For the best online coverage of #cityvlcfc click right this way for the Match Day Centre!
— Manchester City (@ManCity) February 10, 2018
Burnley
In position at Turf Moor!
For the best online coverage of #bfcvcity get on the Match Day Centre: https://t.co/Kh9Zy627Cl pic.twitter.com/9OyoJoKKhv— Manchester City (@ManCity) February 3, 2018
West Brom
Behind the scenes build-up
Team news first
Fan views
Free audio commentary#cityvwba Match Day Live https://t.co/o6iOsEK3Fd #mancity pic.twitter.com/25M1gWL1MB— Manchester City (@ManCity) January 31, 2018
Cardiff City
Fo the best online coverage of #ccfcvcity get on the Match Day Centre!
— Manchester City (@ManCity) January 28, 2018
Bristol City
Coming in live from Ashton Gate with the best online coverage of #bcfcvcity!
— Manchester City (@ManCity) January 23, 2018
Newcastle United
Behind the scenes build-up
Team news
Fan views
Live audio— Manchester City (@ManCity) January 20, 2018
Liverpool
Everything #lfcvcity in one place!
MATCH CENTRE https://t.co/V3TIaoiCBL pic.twitter.com/zIpHsPV0nS— Manchester City (@ManCity) January 14, 2018
Watford
Coming in live from the Etihad for the first time in 2018!
— Manchester City (@ManCity) January 2, 2018
Crystal Palace
The best way to follow #cpfcvcity online!
— Manchester City (@ManCity) December 31, 2017
Bournemouth
Tottenham
A BIG matchday!
— Manchester City (@ManCity) December 16, 2017
Manchester United
More than just a game...
— Manchester City (@ManCity) December 10, 2017
West Ham
Feyenoord
COME ON CITY!!
— Manchester City (@ManCity) November 21, 2017
Arsenal
Napoli
A showdown in Naples!
— Manchester City (@ManCity) November 1, 2017
Wolves
Stoke City
Everton
Brighton & Hove Albion
What are your #bhafcvcity predictions?
— Manchester City (@ManCity) August 12, 2017