Man City boss Maresca reveals Pep Guardiola meeting after defeat to PSG: ‘We were talking’

Enzo Maresca has called Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium “home” for Pep Guardiola and described his predecessor as “very positive” when the pair clashed after the Cityzens’ Champions League defeat at home to Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday.

Guardiolawho left City after 10 years at the end of last season, made his first appearance at the stadium since the club were found guilty of 114 breaches of Premier League rules, a verdict they are appealing against.

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

“We were talking about the game. First of all, I was very happy to be in the stadium, and then very positive about the things I had seen during the game.

“I said before the game that I thought it was great for the fans to see him in the stadium as well. This will always be his home.”

Man City charges: what did Pep Guardiola say?

Guardiola seemed to direct city fans after the Premier League announced the ruling in September.

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

In his most recent public comments on the charges, Guardiola backed the club’s owners City Football Group, for whom he remains a global ambassador.

“I spoke with them and I trust how they behave and how they did it,” the Spaniard said in May, via BBC Sport. “What happened, happened.”

Maresca, who has led City three points clear at the top of the table by winning their first six league games in charge, reiterated his confidence in the group in his remarks before City host 10th-placed Ipswich Town on Saturday.

Pep Guardiola: Man City trophies

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

Here are the trophies he won with the club.

Enzo Maresca praises Manchester City fans’ bananas

Inflatable bananas were on display at the stadium during City’s 4-2 defeat to the Europeans, Maresca’s side unable to mount a second-half comeback after conceding three unanswered goals before the break.

The tradition among the city’s fans it dates back to the late 1980s and Maresca suggested that one of the inflatables could be taken home after the game against Town.

“Very nice,” the Italian said of the decorations. “I didn’t know the story behind the bananas. I hope (against Town) I can see a lot of bananas in the stadium.

“It creates a nice atmosphere for the fans and everyone in the stadium.”

Enzo Fernandez: Manchester City sign “beautiful”

City bought midfielder Enzo Fernandez from Maresca’s former club Chelsea for a Premier League record £125m in September and the Argentina international was involved in a freak incident against PSG when he pushed referee Sven Jablonski from behind.

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

“It’s just a random moment,” Maresca said, adding that Fernandez “didn’t even think” to act maliciously. “It was kind of funny.

“He is a nice person. He has a big heart (and is) polite, professional. Sometimes the image outside is completely different from the reality.

“He’s a top-notch man, and first of all, he’s a very nice person. Nice family, mom, dad, wife, kids. I know them all. That’s it. There’s no doubt about it.”

Where to watch Man City vs Ipswich: TV channel, live streaming online

Kick-off on Saturday is 15:00 BST (10:00 ET / 07:00 PT). This match is not shown live in the UK.

Here is the full list of International broadcasters of the Premier League.

Fully updated Premier League table

The table looks like this before the start of the last round of Premier League matches.