Enzo Maresca has urged everyone connected to Manchester City to pull together as the squad returns from the international break, emphasising the importance of togetherness before a demanding week begins in Liverpool.
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After three weeks scattered to the wind on international duty and commitments spread across all corners of the globe, Manchester City are finally back in action, and straight into the thick of it across competitions.
A trip to Liverpool on Sunday afternoon is followed within days by a UEFA Champions League meeting with Paris Saint-Germain at the Etihad Stadium, and the club’s manager has used the build-up to that double-header to deliver a pointed message.
Sunday marks Manchester City's first appearance since an independent commission found the club guilty of serious financial breaches - a verdict they are currently appealing and one which has engulfed the entire football community, particularly in England.
Enzo Maresca, though, is keeping his focus firmly on the football and the fans.
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Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca faced the press for the first time on Friday morning since the club were found guilty by an independent commission of breaching the Premier League's financial rules.
Maresca: “We need to be all together”
In his first set of pre-match remarks, first published on ManCity.com, manager Enzo Maresca stressed upon the importance of everyone at Manchester City pulling in the same direction as club football returned to the agenda.
“We need to be all together,” he said. “I said many times the reason why this organisation in the last 15 years was top was because from the owner, the CEO, the sporting director, the manager, players, fans, they are all on the same page. And this is fantastic.”
The Italian's words come at a time when the City fanbase is perhaps more uncertain than ever, with many having been blindsided by the verdict, which was comprehensive in declaring the club's guilt and has prompted calls for the most serious possible sanctions.
Enzo Maresca was also keen to spell out what he wants from the travelling support on Merseyside, as he continued, "First of all, Anfield away, we’re going to bring our passion, we’re going to bring our gameplan. But for sure we need their voice, their passion.”
The 46-year-old is not alone in the sentiment either, with Erling Haaland recently making a similar statement in a message of his own, telling supporters the Manchester City squad must "stick together, enjoy the ride and smile".
In Manchester City's own words
Enzo Maresca smartly invoked Manchester City’s motto to set the stage for the task ahead: the Latin phrase “Superbia in proelio” - “pride in battle” - that adorned the club’s crest prior to Pep Guardiola’s arrival in the summer of 2016.
“It’s what we need. We know that the next two games are going to both be battles, especially Anfield away,” he said. “We’re going to bring all our passionate feeling there. But at the same moment we need our fans with us. We need their passion and their voice and hopefully at the end of the game we can all be happy.”
It could be exactly the mentality needed for a fanbase with its backs against the walls, Merseyside, and one entirely in keeping with the siege mentality starting to take hold around the club.
Seven wins, and still improving!
While his players tried to focus on their respective countries and tune out the club noise, Enzo Maresca used the break to review a flawless start of seven wins from seven across the Premier League, Carabao Cup and UEFA Champions League, while making it clear he sees room for improvement.
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Such a start at least means supporters will head to Anfield on Sunday afternoon with a healthy dose of belief in their Manchester City team, whatever the storm at boardroom level.
“For sure, it’s been a good feeling - seven games, seven wins,” he said. “But for me the most important thing are the things that I can see day by day... I can see that the players are improving, they are understanding what we want and this is very important.”
What awaits Man City at Anfield?
No ground tests Manchester City quite like Anfield, and a hostile reception can be guaranteed.
Last season, City ground out a late 1-2 win over Liverpool through Bernardo Silva and Erling Haaland, and a repeat during Sunday’s 16:30 kick-off would be the ideal springboard into Wednesday’s meeting with back-to-back European champions Paris Saint-Germain.
Enzo Maresca has stepped up and asked everyone associated with Manchester City to deliver a united response to the current storm, and if the players can deliver a win in Liverpool, a turbulent few weeks may start to feel a little brighter.