One Enzo Maresca quote perfectly sums up what is happening on the pitch at Manchester City

One Enzo Maresca quote perfectly sums up what is happening on the pitch at Manchester City Manchester City won a shootout 3-2 against RB Leipzig at the Red Bull Arena on Wednesday night. City’s win was a crucial victory to aid their bid to secure a top-eight finish in the UEFA Champions League league phase. However, the match in Germany followed a similar pattern to City’s recent matches. It was an open affair where both teams had their opportunities to win. At times, how open games are that City are involved in is a cause for concern. However, as Enzo Maresca has pointed out, this City side have only been playing under their new manager for four months now. The hope is that Manchester City’s play tightens up as the players get used to Enzo Maresca’s demands and playing together. Enzo Maresca has only been in charge of Manchester City for four months and growing pains were to be expected. Costly individual errors have plagued Manchester City’s play recently. Gianluigi Donnarumma was at fault for RB Leipzig’s first goal at the Red Bull Arena as his positioning allowed Ridle Baku to fire home from an impossible angle on the right. Donnarumma’s error is the latest in a catalogue of errors that have led to Manchester City conceding goals. Speaking after the game, in quotes relayed by City Xtra , Enzo Maresca acknowledged that his team needs to continue to work to cut the errors out of their play. Also, Maresca added that he has only been Manchester City manager for four months now. He, and his players are still getting used to each other. Maresca explained: “ Working [is the solution]! Working more, understanding, analysing, reviewing. 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! ” The expectation is, that in time, this City side improves and develops the more they play together. Enzo Maresca has pointed out the reality with this Manchester City side. This new-look City side has only been together for four months. It was to be expected that there would be growing pains along the way. Especially early in the season as the players learn Maresca’s tactical ideas and methods. You can see the teething problems play out on the pitch. Manchester City’s press is disjointed and there are gaping holes in City’s midfield at times as well. Also, at the back, Enzo Maresca’s side are too easy to get at. However, there is a caveat to all of this. This City side is still in its infancy on their journey together. What Enzo Maresca’s side is doing well is that they are picking up results despite their clear frailties. Besides the defeats to Aston Villa, PSG and Brighton, Manchester City have won their games in the Premier League and the UEFA Champions League. Yes, City haven’t really controlled games outside of their 4-1 win over Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park. But they are winning matches while learning their new roles and Maresca’s tactical expectations. Learning to win in less than ideal circumstances is part of a team’s journey. This Manchester City side is doing that at this stage of their development. That is a positive sign despite the clear and obvious concerns with how Manchester City’s matches are currently playing out. Final thoughts. As Enzo Maresca pointed out, we are only four months into a new era at City. The expectation is that his squad will improve the more they play together and the more they work under Enzo Maresca. Eventually, the gaps in Manchester City’s midfield will close up and City’s press will improve. Also, the defensive errors should be ironed out of their play in time. While this Manchester City side are learning on the job and have clear frailties, they are picking up results while they learn on the job. That is a clear positive sign and hopefully Enzo Maresca’s side can pick up three points against Nottingham Forest this weekend. That will help them carry real momentum into the international break and give them a platform to growing into the next phase of the 2026-27 season.