---
title: "Five games that will tell us plenty about Enzo Maresca’s Man City"
canonical: "https://readmancity.com/2026/08/31/five-games-enzo-maresca-man-city-september/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Gary Gowers"
section: "Articles"
published: "2026-08-31T13:00:00Z"
modified: "2026-10-10T21:44:55Z"
---

# Five games that will tell us plenty about Enzo Maresca’s Man City

[**City**](https://readmancity.com/) **have made an encouraging start to the Premier League season, but September will give [Enzo Maresca](https://readmancity.com/tag/enzo-maresca/) a very different challenge.**

Friday’s 4-1 victory at Crystal Palace was comfortably the best performance of his short reign.

After the international break, City face five games in 16 days across three competitions. Maresca will take charge of the club in the Champions League for the first time, experience his first Manchester derby and have to start using the depth of his squad.

## Coventry City — September 5

First comes Coventry at the Etihad.

City have scored six goals across their opening two Premier League matches and this is one they will expect to win.

It also gives Maresca a chance to get his players moving again after the international break before the schedule becomes considerably tougher.

## Porto — September 8

Three days later, City are in Portugal.

Maresca’s first Champions League game for the club will also bring his first quick Premier League-to-Europe turnaround.

Porto away represents a step up from anything City have faced so far this season.

## Manchester United — September 13

Then comes the [Manchester derby](https://readmancity.com/2026/09/09/enzo-maresca-manchester-derby-man-utd/).

City travel to Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon for Maresca’s first competitive meeting with United since taking the job.

It will be City’s third game in nine days and comfortably the biggest domestic fixture of his opening weeks.

## Norwich City — September 17

The Carabao Cup should give Maresca some room to rotate.

Norwich visit the Etihad four days after the derby and three days before City’s next Premier League game.

Ayyoub Bouaddi and some of City’s younger players could get minutes, while several senior players will surely need a rest.

## Sunderland — September 20

Finally, Sunderland visit the Etihad.

It is not the headline fixture of the month, but these are the home games City need to win consistently if they are going to challenge for the Premier League title.

By the end of it, Maresca will have taken City into Europe, managed a Manchester derby and had to rotate across three competitions.

The gentle introduction is almost over.

September should be much more revealing.

*For updates on City throughout the season, take a look at our [LIVE! Premier League 2026/27 News, Transfers, Updates & Viral Moments](https://dave.sport/live/premier-league-2026-2027-season-updates/) page.*