Man City vs Chelsea: Enzo Maresca declares support for Guardiola

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has offered his support to Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola. The Cityzens have managed just two wins in seven European matches leaving their Champions League knockout stage hopes in jeopardy.

Chelsea are set to face the struggling Premier League champions at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday.

City is fifth on the league table, two points behind Maresca's fourth-placed Chelsea, following a difficult period leading up to Christmas.

"Pep is strong enough in this kind of thing. But for sure, like any human being, he needs support in this moment, for the last eight or nine years, they were always on top," Maresca told reporters on Friday via Reuters.

"With this club and these players, when they are in a difficult moment, they want to show how good they are. I don't think there is ever a good moment to play City.

"It is normal in football to live moments like they are in. For sure, they will be back to winning trophies soon," he said.

Maresca has a history with Manchester City, having previously worked as a coach at the club before taking the managerial position at Parma and now at Chelsea.