Enzo Maresca’s Manchester City are trading control for chaos – and it could become the norm

Enzo Maresca’s Manchester City are trading control for chaos – and it could become the norm Manchester City had one job to do against RB Leipzig at the Red Bull Arena last night. That was to leave Germany with all three points to aid their bid to secure a top-eight finish in the UEFA Champions League league table. Enzo Maresca’s side did exactly that as they picked up a 3-2 win over an impressive RB Leipzig outfit. Last night’s match followed a familiar pattern of matches that City have played this season. It was an open affair where both teams had their chances to win. Watching the early stages of Enzo Maresca’s reign as Manchester City manager, it does now seem like there is a pattern evolving which is far away from the control that anyone who has watched City over the past decade has become accustomed to. Manchester City once again came out on top against RB Leipzig in a match that resembled a shootout. At halftime of last night’s match, Manchester City held a 1-0 lead. RB Leipzig defender Castello Lukeba turned a Nico O’Reilly cross into his own net in the 37th minute. The first half of last night’s match wasn’t the most inspiring viewing. However, that changed dramatically in the second half. RB Leipzig took the game to Manchester City. Clearly Martin Demichelis had instructed his side to take the game to the visitors. They did exactly that. Led by Antonio Nusa, RB Leipzig threw everything at Enzo Maresca’s side. They were rewarded with an equalizer in the 49th minute when Ridle Baku beat Gianluigi Donnarumma at his near post with a smart finish from a tight angle. City responded and restored their lead in the 58th minute when Enzo Fernandez headed home an Iliman Ndiaye cross. City’s lead would only last three minutes when Antonio Nusa equalised for the hosts in the 61st minute. Erling Haaland would slide in an Elliot Anderson ball at the back post in the 78th minute to seal Manchester City’s 3-2 win. In the game’s closing stages, Jeremy Doku and Rayan Cherki both took shots that didn’t pay off and gave RB Leipzig possession and an opportunity to surge forward in the final minutes of second half stoppage time. Rather than take the ball to the corner, they tried to seal a City win. In a way, that was indicative of how the second half played. Both teams could have won last night’s match. However, now it seems that open and free-flowing games are becoming Manchester City’s forte. The control that became Manchester City’s forte has been replaced with chaos. For the decade that Pep Guardiola was Manchester City’s manager, his team was determined to control matches. It was their modus operandi and formed the foundation of City’s decade of success under Guardiola. Watching Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City side control matches and ultimately strangle their opponents became common place. Now, under Enzo Maresca, City play in a completely different manner. The games feel more chaotic which has been seen throughout this season. Manchester City’s win over RB Leipzig followed a similar pattern to other games that City have played. City’s 5-3 win over Sunderland and 3-2 win over Ipswich Town were both chaotic matches. As was Manchester City’s 4-2 defeat to PSG. There is an openness to games that Manchester City are involved in. It was on display last night against RB Leipzig. Perhaps it is a sign of a squad that hasn’t come together yet. Also, it appears that the way this City side is set up is conducive to open and free-flowing matches. Also, Manchester City’s opponents aren’t scared to go at the perceived weaknesses in their system. All of these factors combined have seen a significant shift occur in matches that Manchester City are involved in. There is no doubt that Enzo Maresca does not want to be involved in shootouts as they were against RB Leipzig last night. However that is what is taking place currently. It is jarring to see City play in so many chaotic matches after watching a decade of Pep Guardiola demanding his team control games. But this is a new era at City and while this team comes together and gels it may be a while yet before Manchester City control games as desried and have to continue to thrive in the chaos before the pattern changes.