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Maresca's big test is to address mounting Man City issues

By · Published by Everything Blog

In short

The recent slump has exposed vulnerabilities across the pitch, with the defense keeping only one clean sheet over the past eight fixtures in all competitions. Maresca is simultaneously managing an overhauled midfield that underwent a £325m summer rebuild following the departures of key veterans Rodri and Bernardo Silva. Attackers have compounded the problem by failing to convert opportunities, converting just one goal from nine big chances across their last two outings.

Key points

  • Back-to-back Premier League defeats have put Manchester City's top-table standing at imme…: Back-to-back Premier League defeats have put Manchester City's top-table standing at immediate risk from Arsenal.
  • Costly individual mistakes from defensive players have consistently undermined the squad'…: Costly individual mistakes from defensive players have consistently undermined the squad's competitive stability in recent weeks.
  • The manager insists the squad must eliminate unforced errors and improve clinical finishi…: The manager insists the squad must eliminate unforced errors and improve clinical finishing to convert generated chances into victories.

Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1

- Published

Enzo Maresca enjoyed a flawless start as Manchester City manager, winning his first seven Premier League games in charge, but the honeymoon period is now over.

Having lost at Aston Villa last weekend, City have now suffered back-to-back top-flight defeats after being beaten 1-0 at home by Brighton on Saturday.

"A bit strange," Maresca said of the result. "It is the same feeling as after Aston Villa away. We did enough to deserve something more but we have to move on and try to win games.

"We created a good volume of offensive action. Sometimes you have to be more clinical and score but it's important that we create. We did everything to be honest.

The Italian added: "The attitude was good, I have nothing to say about that or the performance.

"The players fought until the end and hopefully next time we are more lucky."

Maresca seemed to slot in seamlessly after taking on the impossible job of replacing the legendary Pep Guardiola, but now needs to find solutions to City's stuttering form.

With chairman Khaldoon Al…

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