Enzo Maresca Explains How Manchester City Plan to Eradicate Defensive Errors After RB Leipzig Thriller

Enzo Maresca Explains How Manchester City Plan to Eradicate Defensive Errors After RB Leipzig Thriller Manchester City fans were subjected to a white-knuckle ride at the Red Bull Arena on Wednesday night, with the match being a microcosm of the erratic, unpredictable nature of recent performances under Enzo Maresca. Momentum swung back and forth between the two sides across the course of the 90 minutes as defensive lapses repeatedly undid some excellent attacking play from the perspective of those in Sky Blue. Erling Haaland’s eventual match-winner in the 2-3 goal-fest sparked relieved celebrations in the away end in Germany and earned two vital extra points in Manchester City’s ongoing European campaign. Beyond the result, though, there are lingering anxieties over a fragile backline that has not found its footing yet under its new manager, and Enzo Maresca addressed those shortcomings in his post-match media duties, outlining how staff plan to tighten things up. While Manchester City engineered no shortage of chances through their intricate passing against the German Bundesliga high-flyers, there were disappointing moments at the other end that underlined one of the club’s most pressing deficiencies. Misjudged goalkeeping decisions from Gianluigi Donnarumma and brief lapses in concentration allowed Leipzig back into a match that City took the lead in on three separate occasions. Without losing sight of the significance of the three points in the Champions League's ongoing league phase, the Italian coach pointed out that his team’s defensive problems were mostly self-inflicted. “Happy with the win, that is important, especially after defeat. I think part of the game we controlled quite well, creating many chances. But for some moments, we struggled a little but again, it’s normal! It’s a Champions League game, Germany away is always difficult. So, happy with the win,” Enzo Maresca told TNT Sports . “We probably conceded two silly goals, that we need to avoid. But slowly, slowly we’re going to be better, also defensively,” Maresca later added to Mancity.com . To rectify these problems, hard work at the City Football Academy - from players and staff alike - is the only obvious solution. Having managed the group for only four months, Enzo Maresca was quick to note that forging partnerships across the backline and goalkeeping unit takes time. “Working [is the solution]! Working more, understanding, analysing, reviewing...” Maresca said. “I’m new here, I need to know the players, they need to know me. It’s four months we have been together, so that’s why I’m so happy, so confident because we can only improve with this short period!” As Manchester City pivot back to domestic action with a visit to Nottingham Forest's City Ground on Saturday evening now around the corner, supporters will hope that that work on the training pitch yields defensive dividends soon. The Blues make that return to the Premier League having lost their last two fixtures in the competition away to Aston Villa and at home to Brighton & Hove Albion - a slip that has cost them top spot - so tightening things up at the back may be the quickest route back to winning ways.