Sports
Maresca Praises Porto's Threat, Says Haaland Matured After Becoming a Father
By Karim Malim
Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca addressed several topics in his pre-match press conference ahead of his side's UEFA Champions League league-phase opener against Porto, set for Tuesday evening at the Estadio do Dragao.
Maresca praised Porto's identity, describing them as a well-organised, aggressive team with a distinctive style both in and out of possession. He said City would need to defend well, take their chances, and be sharp on set pieces, noting that dead-ball situations have become increasingly important in modern football.
Asked whether comments from Porto's manager about City's summer spending of roughly 500 million euros were intended to add pressure on his squad, Maresca dismissed the idea, saying he viewed the financial outlay as an advantage rather than a burden.
Reflecting on his own Champions League history, Maresca recalled his time with Chelsea, including the season the club won the treble, saying City must adapt to the competition's new format while maintaining their usual style and ambition. Asked about title favourites, he said the outcome would be determined on the pitch, with City aiming to give their best.
Maresca also explained the use of music during training sessions, a practice he has carried over from his time at Leicester and Chelsea, saying it lifts the players' mood, especially since they choose the songs themselves.
On Erling Haaland, Maresca said the demands of international duty can leave players mentally drained, and that rest is sometimes necessary, whether for a single match or longer. He emphasised the importance of keeping all his players fit and content. Maresca said Haaland has changed significantly since joining City in 2022, crediting fatherhood for the transformation. He described the striker as a mature family man in addition to being a top performer.
On the pressure that comes with heavy spending, Maresca said expectations naturally rise at a club like City, but that his focus remains on daily progress and continued improvement.
Discussing Rayan Cherki's role, Maresca said the playmaker adapts his positioning depending on the phase of play, dropping deeper to control tempo when City are in their own half and pushing forward when higher up the pitch, where his passing poses a major threat. He praised Cherki's contribution in recent matches, including his positioning for City's second goal against Bournemouth, and said Phil Foden possesses similar qualities in delivering incisive passes.
Regarding fitness updates, Maresca confirmed Nico O'Reilly will be available this weekend, while Jeremy Doku, though back in training, remains a doubt.
Midfielder Matheus Nunes also spoke to media, describing Porto as a difficult opponent with quality players, singling out attacker Pepe as a threat. He noted that Porto have evolved to prioritise ball control rather than the rapid transitions he recalled from his time in Portugal, though he declined to judge whether this represented an improvement.
Nunes said he did not consider Porto necessarily City's toughest test of the season, pointing to previous matches against Arsenal and Crystal Palace as similarly challenging.
Comparing Maresca to previous manager Pep Guardiola, Nunes said both carry strong passion, noting he has only worked under Maresca for a few months compared to three seasons with Guardiola. He confirmed he is fully fit after recovering from an ankle injury sustained in training before the Arsenal match.
On Champions League ambitions, Nunes said City always aim to win the competition, acknowledging its unforgiving knockout stages compared to the Premier League's format. He praised the summer signings, including Enzo Fernandez, saying the squad felt thrilled by the incoming talent and that new arrivals are settling in well.
Nunes also described Haaland as a