Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca has defended his players' celebrations after their 3-0 win over Liverpool at Anfield, insisting the team had every right to react to the result however they wanted.
The victory was City's first game since the club was found guilty of breaching the Premier League's financial rules, a verdict the club has appealed. The celebrations drew criticism given the anger directed at the club. "We won 3-0 at Anfield, what do you want us to do?" Maresca said at a news conference on Tuesday. "Even if it was 1-0, it would be exactly the same. We work every day to win games."
Captain Rúben Dias backed his manager, saying the players would continue to celebrate however it feels in the moment. Despite City's uncertain future, Dias said the squad remains calm and trusts the club after launching a formal appeal against the independent commission's judgement.
Maresca added that the situation has been harder on supporters than on the players and staff. City now face reigning European champions Paris Saint-Germain at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday, their first home game since the verdict.
Source: ESPN Soccer · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing