The night when C.P. Company officially entered the football's world

The first round of the Champions League, as always, has given us many surprises. And this year, with even more teams involved thanks to the new format, there have been even more novelties. The most intriguing, of course, concerns the new Formal Wear worn for the first time by the teams arriving at the stadium, both away and at home. And among all, the most anticipated was the one signed by C.P. Company for Manchester City, a collaboration that officially marks the Italian brand's entry into the world of football after decades spent on the terraces of stadiums as a must-have for every self-respecting fan. From the Terrace core of the 90s, C.P. Company has now taken to the pitch, dressing both Guardiola's team and, surprisingly, Bologna, in their first appearance in the Champions League in over sixty years.

The Bologna team arrived at the Dall'Ara wearing crewneck sweatshirts, cargo pants, and windbreakers with the unmistakable circular badge, without announcing the partnership as Manchester City had done some time ago. A unique choice that caught many off guard and was not even communicated by the club after the draw against Shakhtar Donetsk. It is still unclear what relationship ties the company founded by Massimo Osti with Bologna. Meanwhile, for Manchester City, of which it is the Official Style Fashionwear Partner, C.P. Company has created garments with the Blues' logos prominently displayed, from the polo worn by Gundogan in the tunnel of the Emirates Stadium to the technical jackets used to arrive at the stadium.

These products will most likely never reach retail, as OFF-WHITE did for Milan, but will remain bespoke pieces made only for the players. But the influence of these partnerships goes beyond the mere material value of the individual clothing items. After being a cult brand for Terrace Culture for decades, C.P. Company has officially entered the world of football, curiously on the same day that City played with the jersey inspired by Oasis' debut album Definitely Maybe, effectively closing the circle of British Pop aesthetics, from fans to players.