Maresca makes Man City preference clear despite thrilling start

Maresca makes Man City preference clear despite thrilling start

Enzo Maresca says he would rather Man City win 1-0 than 5-3, despite his side developing into one of the Premier League’s more entertaining teams during the opening weeks of the season.

City’s victory over Sunderland on Sunday was their seventh in succession in all competitions, but it was anything but routine. Maresca’s side scored five and could have had more, while Brian Brobbey’s hat-trick repeatedly exposed them at the other end.

Speaking after the game, Maresca told The Athletic: “To be honest, I prefer to win 1-0 than 5-3.”

It was a revealing comment after a game which highlighted how different City have looked during the early stages of his reign.

Maresca explains what he wants from Man City

Sam Lee’s analysis for The Athletic notes that Maresca arrived in Manchester with a reputation for slow, possession-heavy football following his spells with Leicester City and Chelsea.

His City side have so far been more direct. Maresca wants his players to press high, recover possession quickly and attack when the opportunity presents itself rather than automatically settling back into possession.

“The message is try to win the ball back as soon as possible,” Maresca said. “Also, if there is a chance to attack immediately, we can attack immediately.”

That approach was evident for City’s second goal against Sunderland. Iliman Ndiaye regained possession high up the pitch before Josko Gvardiol collected the loose ball and City quickly turned the turnover into an attack.

Maresca is under no illusions about the other side of it. Sunderland scored three times and caused City problems throughout the second half, with the manager admitting afterwards that his team must find a better balance between creating chances and preventing them.

City have nevertheless won their opening five Premier League games, scoring 13 goals, while the 1-0 derby victory at Manchester United showed another side to them after Phil Foden’s early red card.

For now, Maresca’s City are proving rather less predictable than his previous reputation suggested.

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