Maresca’s tactical decision
In his initial Premier League match as manager for Manchester City, Enzo Maresca made an unexpected choice by fielding Marc Guehi in a holding midfield position. This decision came after City’s 3-0 defeat to Arsenal in the Community Shield the previous Sunday. Despite initial surprise from observers and the player himself, the tactical move ultimately contributed to City’s comeback victory against Bournemouth.
Guehi, typically a centre-back, was deployed in midfield, a role he had not frequently played. He noted that the manager’s idea was something they had worked on during the week, exploring different solutions for the team. Maresca explained that he had always considered Guehi capable of playing in midfield due to his abilities, and after trying it for a few days, he found the player performed well.
Match outcome and player performance
The match saw Manchester City secure an unlikely comeback win, with Guehi scoring a late header. This goal, along with Josko Gvardiol’s finish, helped City avoid back-to-back defeats at the start of the season. Guehi’s performance in the midfield role included winning all three of his tackles, achieving a 94.9% pass completion rate from 59 attempts, and winning eight of his 11 duels.
The decision to play Guehi in midfield drew attention, particularly as six players capable of playing as defenders were in the starting lineup. The shift in position became evident during the warm-up and was confirmed at kick-off. Despite the unusual positioning, Guehi’s contribution, including his goal, helped to shift the narrative around Maresca’s tactical approach.
Former Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart commented on the team’s state, noting the interesting mix-and-match approach to players. He suggested that the pairing of Elliot Anderson and Guehi in midfield might not be a long-term solution, especially with the anticipated arrival of Ayyoub Bouaddi. Hart indicated that Maresca might be experimenting with different setups early in the season, particularly with some players returning late from the World Cup.
Future prospects and squad developments
Maresca suggested that the Guehi experiment could offer a long-term solution in midfield. This comes as City faces squad changes, including the departure of Rodri to Barcelona and Tijjani Reijnders to Saudi Arabia. Reports indicated that Manchester City had agreed a fee for midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi from Lille. Bouaddi, at 18 years old, is expected to join the club, with Elliot Anderson also making his Premier League debut for City.
Maresca, who succeeded Pep Guardiola, has expressed a desire for new signings before the transfer window closes on September 1. However, he stated he was unaware of the reported deal for Bouaddi, indicating he had not yet discussed it with decision-makers. The manager acknowledged that the team remains a “work in progress” after the win against Bournemouth, and that the club has work to do before the transfer window concludes.
The team’s performance, with players like Erling Haaland and Phil Foden appearing muted, and Anderson losing more duels than he won, highlighted areas for development. However, the ability to secure wins while Maresca refines his strategies offers optimism. The expectation is that players will regain sharpness, and Guehi will eventually return to his defensive role. The transfer window remains open until September 1.
Source: bbc.com
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