After seven games, Manchester City have built themselves a platform to launch from

After seven games, Manchester City have built themselves a platform to launch from Entering the extended international break, Manchester City have built themselves a solid foundation to launch into the next phase of the season. Enzo Maresca’s side have won seven consecutive matches in all competitions. The new-look City side are building nicely, although they are far from the finished product at this stage. When domestic football returns, Manchester City will be aiming to continue their momentum and the challenges will be waiting as soon as club football returns in just under three weeks time. Manchester City have won in a variety of ways, which is ideal for the growth of Enzo Maresca’s side. Enzo Maresca’s side had to rely on their firepower up front to beat Sunderland. Sunday’s match was an end-to-end classic where both teams went toe-to-toe before Manchester City came away with a 5-3 win. There were concerns to come out of City’s win, in particular the performances of the entire City defence, but the most important aspect of the match was that Manchester City came away with all three points. Enzo Maresca’s side sits top of the Premier League with five wins from five matches and have now won seven consecutive matches in all competitions. What has stood out across Manchester City’s winning run is that they have won seven matches in seven different ways. They relied upon their winning mentality and character to find a late winner, and come from 1-0 down to beat Bournemouth 2-1. City swept Crystal Palace aside with a 4-1 win over at Selhurst Park. Coventry City gave Enzo Maresca’s side a tough test at the Etihad where City had to fight for a 1-0 win. Manchester City dominated FC Porto and held them to no shots on target in their 2-0 win at the Estádio do Dragão. Enzo Maresca’s team had to fight with ten men to beat Manchester United 1-0 at Old Trafford, which was a massive win built on fight and determination. City then swept Norwich City aside 5-0 in the Carabao Cup before Sunday’s 5-3 win over Sunderland. With a new-look team that is learning on the fly, winning in a variety of ways is good for Manchester City. It shows the players and Enzo Maresca that this team can dig in and adapt to any game state. That trait will serve City well as the 2026-27 season develops and it is a box they have ticked off relatively early into the Enzo Maresca reign. When domestic football returns, City will jump straight into the deep end from a steady platform. Domestic football is now on pause for just under three weeks due to an extended international break. When Manchester City return to action they’ll face Liverpool at Anfield in the Premier League before taking on PSG at the Etihad in their second UEFA Champions League league phase fixture. There will be no time for Enzo Maresca’s side to ease their way back into action. Two tough tests await and City will be fully aware of this. However, Enzo Maresca’s side has built a strong platform for themselves. They are unbeaten and have learned to win in a variety of ways. That trait is invaluable and also this Manchester City side will be full of confidence and belief. The aim when the 2026-27 season began was for Enzo Maresca’s side to quickly learn the Maresca way and give themselves a platform from which to work from. They have done that and are in great position to launch from when club football returns.