Enzo Maresca: Man City players can ignore 'noise' from away fans
Following their first league defeat against Aston Villa, Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca insists his squad remains focused despite hostile atmospheres.
Image generated with Gemini
Following Manchester City's first Premier League defeat of the season against a loud Aston Villa side, manager Enzo Maresca has dismissed concerns that his players are being distracted by hostile atmospheres. Despite persistent chants from opposition supporters regarding the club's financial charges, the Italian manager remains confident in his team's mental resilience.
Maresca noted that his players do not pay attention to the external noise, focusing instead on their tactical duties on the pitch. According to the manager, recent away performances at Liverpool and Villa Park have demonstrated that the squad is capable of blocking out the antagonism they face on their travels.
The issue of fan hostility has been a talking point recently, with midfielder Elliot Anderson admitting that the squad expects such receptions at every away ground. Defender Marc Guehi previously acknowledged that it can be easy to get affected by the noise, though he emphasized that everyone at the club is prioritizing football above all else.
City will look for some respite with back-to-back home games against Brighton this week. Following these fixtures, the team faces a trip to RB Leipzig in the Champions League before visiting Nottingham Forest, a club that has also experienced the impact of Premier League financial sanctions.