Maresca Says City Squad Untroubled by Off-Field Case Before Liverpool and PSG Fixtures
Enzo Maresca says Manchester City are concentrating on Liverpool and PSG while the club's financial case continues in the background.
Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca says his squad remains concentrated on its immediate football commitments as the Premier League leaders prepare for high-profile matches against Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain.
City travel to Anfield on Sunday for a Premier League fixture scheduled to begin at 4:30 pm UK time. Three days later, they will host Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League. Speaking through a club release on Thursday, Maresca said the players are approaching both matches with enthusiasm, particularly because City currently occupy first place in the league.
The manager also addressed the attention surrounding Manchester City's financial rules case. He said the club has communicated its position internally and that both he and the players have confidence in the leadership. Maresca's emphasis was that the squad can influence performances and results on the pitch, rather than developments outside its sporting responsibilities.
According to Maresca, the players are aware of the wider discussion involving the club but are not allowing it to dominate preparations. Their immediate priority is Sunday's visit to Liverpool, with the manager stressing the importance of approaching the Anfield match alongside the support of City's travelling fans.
Punch reported that Maresca's comments come while Manchester City appeal findings from an independent commission examining alleged Premier League financial rule breaches covering 2009 to 2018. The commission found the club guilty on 114 of 115 charges, according to the source.
The findings covered issues involving financial reporting, sponsorship arrangements and spending restrictions, as well as failures to cooperate with the league's investigation. Manchester City have denied wrongdoing and challenged the decision through an appeal. No final sanctions have yet been determined.
Maresca did not use the situation to speculate about the appeal or possible punishment. Instead, his comments focused on the team's mindset before two major fixtures in different competitions. With City leading the Premier League and facing Liverpool away before PSG arrive for European action, the manager's message was that sporting preparation remains the squad's immediate concern.