Maresca: City Fans Face Tougher Times Than Players Amid Scandal

Enzo Maresca has made headlines by stating that if he were a fan of Manchester United or Arsenal, he would label Manchester City as "cheats." His remarks came in light of the recent scandal that has rocked the club, suggesting that supporters are grappling with the situation more than the players or himself. After leading City to a convincing 3-0 victory over Liverpool on Sunday, Maresca reflected on whether the guilty verdict had brought the team closer together. "It’s probably tougher for our fans than for the players or me, as it’s complicated for them," he noted. "If I were an Arsenal or United fan, I could easily call out a City fan and say, ‘Hey, you cheat!’ But in the changing room, we were all smiles celebrating our hard-earned three points at Anfield." Despite City’s ongoing appeal against the independent commission’s ruling, the team faced criticism for their lively celebrations. However, Maresca emphasized the importance of maintaining focus as they prepare for Wednesday's Champions League match against Paris Saint-Germain, having already secured a 2-0 victory at Porto earlier in the season. "A 3-0 win at Anfield is significant, but even if it had been a 1-0 win, our mindset remains the same," Maresca said. "We’re here to win tomorrow’s game and that’s our sole focus. Everything else is just noise from the outside that we need to navigate, but the joy in the dressing room was palpable." Maresca continued, stressing that while he’s heavily invested in the game plan, he doesn’t let external factors weigh him down. "I care deeply about our strategy and training, but I can’t control everything. We understand the gravity of our situation, but there’s not much we can do about it." City's captain, Rúben Dias, echoed his manager’s sentiments. "When you develop as a player, you learn to rise above the noise around you," he said. "I believe I speak for the entire squad when I say we’re calm. We trust our club and are focused on enjoying our football. Winning is what we love, even if not everyone shares that sentiment." Looking ahead, Pep Guardiola is expected to attend the match at the Etihad Stadium, showing support for City’s ownership. "If he’s there, it’s a great feeling for everyone, especially since this has been his home for a decade," Maresca commented, adding to the excitement surrounding the upcoming fixture.