Manchester City coach Maresca reveals his meeting with Pep Guardiola after the defeat against Paris Saint-Germain: “We were talking” G Trends

Enzo Maresca said Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium is Pep Guardiola’s “home” and described his predecessor as “very positive” when the pair met after City lost at home to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League on Wednesday.

GuardiolaThe player, who left City after 10 years at the end of last season, made his first appearance on the field since the club was found guilty of 114 breaches of Premier League rules, a ruling which the team appealed.

“I saw him after the game,” said Maresca, who had a short spell as Guardiola’s assistant from June 2022 before joining Leicester City the following year.

“We were talking about the match. At first he was very happy to be on the field, then he was very positive about the things he saw during the match.

“I said before the game that I think it’s also great for the fans to see him on the field. This will always be his home.”

Manchester City accusations: What did Pep Guardiola say?

Guardiola appeared to address City fans after the Premier League announced the ruling in September.

“Let me be clear,” the city icon said. “We will get through this together. I love you all.”

In his latest public comments on the accusations, Guardiola backed club owners City Football Group, for which he remains a global ambassador.

The Spaniard said last May: “I spoke to them and I trust their behavior and how they did.” BBC Sport. “Whatever happened, happened.”

Maresca, who led City at the top of the standings by three points after winning his first six league matches, stressed his confidence in the group in his comments before City host 10th-placed Ipswich Town on Saturday.

Pep Guardiola: Manchester City titles

City became the dominant force in English football during much of Guardiola’s reign, with many crediting the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich coach with transforming the English game due to his passing-heavy style.

Here are the titles he won with the club.

Enzo Maresca praises Manchester City fans’ bananas

Inflatable bananas were displayed across the pitch during City’s 4-2 defeat to the European champions, and Maresca’s side failed to come back in the second half after conceding three unanswered goals before half-time.

the Tradition among City fans It dates back to the late 1980s and Maresca suggested he could take one of the inflatables home after the match against Town.

“Very beautiful,” the Italian said of the decorations. “I didn’t know the story behind the bananas. I hope (against Town) I see a lot of bananas on the pitch.

“It creates a nice environment for the fans and everyone on the field.”

Enzo Fernandes: Manchester City signing is ‘beautiful’

City bought midfielder Enzo Fernandes from Marisca’s former club, Chelsea, for a Premier League record £125m in September, and the Argentina international was involved in a bizarre incident against Paris Saint-Germain when he pushed referee Sven Jablonski from behind.

The official did not appear to consider the push to be intentional and Maresca defended the 25-year-old when a reporter suggested Fernandes had shown a fiery temper in the past.

“It’s just a random moment,” Maresca said, adding that Fernandez “wasn’t even thinking” about acting maliciously. “It was a bit funny.

“He’s a nice person. He has a big heart (and is) polite and professional. Sometimes the picture from the outside is very different from the reality.”

“He’s a wonderful man, and above all, he’s a very nice person. Nice family, mummy, daddy, wife, kids. I know them all. That’s why. There’s no doubt about it.”

Where to watch Manchester City and Ipswich: TV channel, live stream online

The match starts on Saturday at 15:00 GMT (10:00 ET / 07:00 PT). This match is not being shown live in the UK.

Here’s the full list Premier League broadcasters.

Fully updated Premier League schedule

The schedule looks like this before the start of the final round of English Premier League matches.