Manchester City head coach Enzo Maresca has defended his team's celebrations following their 3-0 victory at Anfield against Liverpool, pushing back against media and pundit criticism. The win came shortly after an independent commission found the club guilty of numerous breaches of Premier League financial rules, a verdict for which the club has appealed.
When asked about the criticism, Maresca responded, "What do you want us to do?" He explained that the team works daily to win games and that the emotions displayed on the pitch and in the dressing room were a result of their happiness and focus. "The rest? It's just things from outside that we need to deal with," he added.
Maresca's comments came during a press conference on Tuesday, ahead of Manchester City's Champions League match against Paris Saint-Germain. This home game will be the team's first since the guilty verdict was announced.
Captain Ruben Dias also voiced his support for the manager's stance. "I stand by the manager's words," Dias stated. "It was a win at Anfield. It was a show of how much it means to us." Regarding the financial rule breaches, the defender said, "We are very calm and we trust the club."
Former Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola, who led the club for a decade and secured 20 trophies, is expected to be present at the upcoming Champions League match. Guardiola posted a message of solidarity on social media after the verdict, assuring fans, "I want every single Manchester City fan across the world to know I am here; more than ever. Let me be clear: we will get through this together."