Maresca backs banana craze as Man City fans show defiance

Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca says he is looking forward to seeing the stands at the Etihad Stadium filled with inflatable bananas during Saturday's clash with Ipswich Town. The retro symbol, which gained popularity in the 1980s and 90s, has been revived by supporters as a display of defiance following the independent commission's financial verdict.

Maresca revealed that the craze has even reached his own household, with his children asking for the inflatable fruit. The manager believes this visual support fosters a positive environment and highlights a growing sense of unity between the club, the squad, and the fan base.

It's very nice. I didn't know the history behind the banana, but I hope tomorrow I can see many bananas in the stadium. I think it creates a nice environment for the fans and for everyone that is in the stadium. Enzo Maresca

Addressing the ongoing legal situation, the 46-year-old insisted he feels no personal stress, as the matters are outside of his control. Instead, he remains focused on the task at hand: winning matches.

Despite equaling the best managerial start in Premier League history, Maresca is downplaying personal milestones. He emphasized that the fixture against Ipswich is just another three-point game, noting that records are only meaningful if they contribute to success at the end of the season.