Manchester City have continued to ship goals at the weekend as they adjust to life under incoming manager Enzo Maresca
The club are developing what they consider to be a promising strategy to address their defensive vulnerabilities in the period ahead. Arsenal breached the Blues rearguard within the opening minute during a 3-0 victory last week, while Bournemouth held the lead for the majority of Sunday’s fixture before City mounted a dramatic late turnaround to steal all three points.
Although Maresca has been missing numerous crucial squad members for much of the summer following their progression to the knockout rounds of the World Cup with their respective national sides, the majority of his defensive unit has been available for the past three weeks. Josko Gvardiol, Ruben Dias, Abdukokodir Khusanov and Gianluigi Donnarumma have featured in both starting lineups, though the backline has appeared far from secure.
Following his decisive strike that secured the 2-1 triumph over Bournemouth, Gvardiol explained that the defensive rustiness stems not from a lack of competitive rhythm but rather from the challenge of unlearning established defensive principles under the new system. They are dedicating daily sessions to mastering a fresh tactical approach that Maresca is eager to implement, though shedding long-held habits is proving a gradual process.
The squad are currently refining what appears to be a sensible concept to address their defensive frailties as they aim to prevent further goals slipping through in the near future.
When asked about the adjustment period, Gvardiol mentioned that certain positional responsibilities the squad previously operated under at Chelsea and Leicester have required modification. The core issue lies in the fact that their ingrained instincts diverge slightly from Maresca’s specific requirements, meaning the transition will naturally require patience. The group dedicates focused work to this area daily, and he remains optimistic that the approach will ultimately prove effective.
Maresca has maintained close involvement with players during training sessions since assuming control, simultaneously pushing them to grasp the revised tactical shapes while acknowledging that the transition cannot happen instantaneously. Prior to the Bournemouth fixture, he addressed the inherent difficulties his squad confronts when implementing significant tactical alterations.
The players have demonstrated excellent commitment throughout. From the very beginning, their application has been exemplary. However, navigating such substantial change presents genuine challenges for them. When individuals collaborate consistently with the same methodology over an extended period, introducing a different approach fundamentally alters the dynamic. An analogy might help illustrate this: a performer who has spent a decade working with the same creative lead on numerous projects suddenly finds themselves working with someone new. The performer continues approaching the work with their established mindset, yet must now synchronise with fresh vision. The adjustment is complex and certainly not straightforward. He views this period as a test rather than an excuse, acknowledging that some time is needed while also recognising the need to be competitive as swiftly as possible.