At the Etihad Stadium, an old Manchester City terrace emblem is set for an unexpected return: inflatable bananas. Enzo Maresca welcomed the revival before Ipswich Town’s visit, saying he hoped the stands would be full of them as City pursue a seventh successive Premier League win.
The Italian said he had not known the background to the supporters’ banana tradition before it resurfaced. His four children, however, had already made their interest clear by asking him for one.
Quick facts
- Manchester City host Ipswich Town seeking a seventh straight league victory.
- Maresca expects inflatable bananas to reappear among the Etihad crowd.
- Erling Haaland is being considered for rest after a demanding schedule.
- Phil Foden is available again after serving a suspension.
- Maresca spoke with Pep Guardiola after City’s 4-2 loss to Paris Saint-Germain.
The manager also addressed the mood around the club following the decision on City’s financial-rule breaches. He said the noise surrounding the case had brought the supporters, the club and the squad closer together.
Maresca’s response was to keep the focus on the pitch. City, he said, must create their own noise by beating Ipswich, while adding that he retained complete faith in the club’s leadership and did not feel the controversy had added to his personal pressure.
Squad management is another concern in a crowded period. Haaland may be given time away from action, with Maresca stressing that the issue extends beyond the Norwegian striker to players regularly involved for both City and their national teams.
“It is not only Erling,” Maresca said. “Other players are playing every match for us and for their countries. At some point, we have to give them a break.”
Foden’s return provides one option after the England international completed his ban. City will need freshness as well as momentum after their European setback against Paris Saint-Germain.
Maresca also reflected on Guardiola’s return to the Etihad for that 4-2 defeat. The pair discussed the contrasting first and second halves, and Maresca said Guardiola had been positive about elements of City’s performance.
For Maresca, the former City manager’s presence carried weight beyond the result. He described it as special for the supporters to see Guardiola back at the stadium, insisting that the Etihad will always remain the Catalan coach’s home.
