Manchester City return to the Etihad Stadium for a European night against Paris Saint-Germain with Enzo Maresca urging the home support to recreate the force that carried his side through Anfield.
The Italian coach faced the media before the meeting with Luis Enrique’s PSG, following City’s emphatic 3-0 win over Liverpool on Merseyside. Maresca said the atmosphere in Liverpool had made a major difference and called on City supporters to bring the same energy for the visit of the French champions.
“Anfield was incredible,” Maresca said. “From the start, our supporters were there with their passion and their voices. I hope they can do the same tomorrow night because we need them.”
Guardiola welcomed back to the Etihad
The occasion will also bring Pep Guardiola back to the stadium where he spent a decade shaping City’s modern era. Maresca, whose Chelsea had previously shown during the Club World Cup that Luis Enrique’s team could be troubled, said his predecessor would always be welcome in Manchester.
“After ten years here, he can come whenever he wants,” Maresca said. “Not only for a match, but for a training session too — at any time.”
Maresca underlined Guardiola’s importance to both the club and its supporters, while recalling the scale of the European occasions City experienced during the Spaniard’s time in charge.
Anfield celebrations defended
The City manager also dismissed criticism of his players’ celebrations after the 3-0 victory at Liverpool, insisting that a win at Anfield warranted a strong reaction from the squad.
“Criticised for what?” he said. “We won 3-0 at Anfield. What do you expect us to do? Even if it had been 1-0, it would have been exactly the same.”
Maresca said the group’s focus remains fixed on collecting victories, but made no apology for the happiness shown by the players after such a significant result.
“We work every day to win matches. That is the only thing we can think about and concentrate on,” he said. “We were very, very, very happy on the pitch, and you cannot imagine how we were in the dressing room.”
