Maresca urges City fans to bring back inflatable bananas

City manager embraces fans’ defiant show

Enzo Maresca has encouraged Manchester City supporters to bring inflatable bananas to Saturday’s Premier League match against Ipswich, the club’s first home league fixture since it was found guilty of financial breaches.

The novelty items appeared in the away end at Liverpool last weekend, reviving a tradition associated with City fans in the 1980s and 1990s, when the club spent time in the second and third tiers. Supporters have brought them back amid the threat of sanctions, including possible relegation, and as a reminder of the club’s history before its 2008 takeover.

“I hope tomorrow I can see many bananas in the stadium,” Maresca said. “I think it creates a nice environment for the fans and for everyone that is in the stadium.”

The manager added that his four children had already asked him for bananas and would be at the match. He also urged supporters and players to create their own noise through results, saying: “We need to try to make our noise. And to make our noise means win at Anfield, try to win tomorrow.”

City are seeking a response after losing 4-2 to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League, Maresca’s first dropped points as manager. They are three points clear of second-placed Arsenal at the top of the Premier League; a win would make Maresca the first manager to win his first seven Premier League games with a club.

Maresca said the scrutiny had brought the club’s fans, team and organisation closer together, while acknowledging that the wider public reaction was beyond the club’s control.