City’s derby win required a huge effort with ten men, and Enzo Maresca now has to decide how many of those players he asks to go again against Norwich on Thursday night.
City played for more than 67 minutes with a man down following Phil Foden’s red card at Manchester United, eventually winning 1-0 through Erling Haaland’s second-half goal. Four days later they begin the defence of the Carabao Cup, with Championship side Norwich visiting the Etihad.
Maresca has chance to use his squad
Playing for so long with ten men inevitably demanded plenty from City, particularly as they spent periods of the game defending deeper than usual. There is another quick turnaround after Norwich too. Sunderland visit the Etihad in the Premier League on Sunday, just three days after the cup tie.
Maresca therefore has an obvious opportunity to make changes on Thursday. Nico O’Reilly could come into consideration after returning from injury and appearing as a late substitute in the derby, while several of those who have had fewer minutes so far will hope to be involved.
How far Maresca goes remains to be seen. City are defending the trophy, and Norwich have already beaten MK Dons and Cardiff City away from home to reach the third round.
The City manager will speak to the media on Wednesday afternoon, when there should be a clearer idea of his options. After Porto and more than an hour with ten men at United in the space of six days, some fresh legs against Norwich would hardly be a surprise.
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