Manchester City captain Ruben Dias has defended the club’s celebrations following their 3-0 victory over Liverpool, insisting that criticism surrounding their financial rules case will not diminish their determination to win.
City were jeered by Liverpool supporters during Saturday’s Premier League encounter at Anfield, where they beat the hosts to move three points clear of defending champions Arsenal at the top of the table.
The victory was City’s sixth in as many league matches and their first game since being found guilty of more than 100 alleged breaches of Premier League financial regulations. The club has appealed the verdict.
Speaking on Tuesday, Dias said the team remained united behind the club despite the controversy.
“I really feel like I speak for the whole group; we trust the club,” the Portugal defender said.
He added, "People don’t love us winning, and we love to win.”
City’s celebrations after the victory attracted criticism, particularly because Liverpool had been reduced to 10 men during the match. However, manager Enzo Maresca dismissed suggestions that his players should have celebrated differently.
“Criticised for what? We won 3-0 at Anfield. What do you want us to do?” Maresca said.
“Even if it was 1-0, it would be exactly the same. We work every day to win games.”
Dias also insisted that beating Liverpool at Anfield deserved to be celebrated regardless of the stage of the season or the circumstances surrounding the match.
The financial case has also affected the club’s supporters, according to Maresca, who suggested that rival fans’ reactions had made the situation particularly difficult for City followers.
“If I was an Arsenal fan or United fan and you are a City fan, I can say, ‘My friend, you are a cheat’,” he said, adding that the controversy had probably been harder on supporters than on the players.
City now turn their attention to Wednesday’s Champions League meeting with holders Paris Saint-Germain at the Etihad Stadium.
Maresca described PSG as the best team in Europe at present and said his side would need an outstanding performance to secure victory.
“They won the last two Champions Leagues, so that shows how good they are,” he said. “We need the perfect game, but at the same time, doing our best, I think we can beat them.”
Former City manager Pep Guardiola is also expected to attend the match, marking his first visit to the Etihad since leaving the club at the end of last season.
Maresca said Guardiola’s return would be a positive moment, given his decade at the club and his previous public support for City during the financial controversy.
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