Maresca says cheating scandal has been 'more tough' for Man City fans than players

Enzo Maresca has said the fallout from Manchester City’s Premier League cheating verdict has been harder on the club’s supporters than on the players or coaching staff, speaking ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League home tie against Paris Saint-Germain.

City’s 3-0 win at Anfield on Sunday — their first match since being found guilty of breaching Premier League rules — was played against a backdrop of banners labelling their trophies “tainted” and chants of “cheats” from the home end. After the final whistle, Maresca and his players walked over to the away section to celebrate with travelling supporters.

“It probably has been more tough for our fans than for the players or for me because it’s probably more complicated,” Maresca said. “If I am an Arsenal fan or a United fan and you are a City fan, I can tell you, ‘Hey, my friend, you cheat’ or this kind of thing. So it probably has been more tough for them.”

Despite the charged atmosphere, Maresca was keen to highlight the mood inside the dressing room after a result that extended City’s perfect start to eight wins from eight games under his management.

“We were very happy celebrating the three points because we know how difficult it is at Anfield away,” he said. “So that’s why we were very happy.”

Maresca now wants that same supporter energy to carry into the PSG fixture, recalling the atmosphere of City’s 2022-23 Treble campaign as a benchmark for what European nights at the Etihad can produce.

“Anfield was unbelievable because even if the environment was the environment that we know, the fans were there from the beginning of the game,” he said. “They brought their passion and their voice and hopefully they can do the same tomorrow night.”

“I’m excited for tomorrow night because I was here the Treble season and I know that CL nights were special. I hope that tomorrow night can be special too.”

City then return to Premier League action on Saturday when they host Ipswich Town at the Etihad.