{"id":1478945,"date":"2026-08-13T15:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-08-13T14:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/?post_type=features&#038;p=1478945"},"modified":"2026-08-12T17:18:11","modified_gmt":"2026-08-12T16:18:11","slug":"enzo-maresca-manchester-city-pre-season-tactics","status":"publish","type":"features","link":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/enzo-maresca-manchester-city-pre-season-tactics\/","title":{"rendered":"How Enzo Maresca&#8217;s Man City approach is shaping up in pre-season"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Enzo Maresca is preparing for the biggest game of his early <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/stats\/clubs\/manchester-city\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Manchester City<\/a> managerial career.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Citizens contest the Community Shield on Sunday as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/bet\/football-tips\/fa-cup\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">FA Cup<\/a> holders, facing <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/bet\/football-tips\/premier-league\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Premier League<\/a> champions <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/stats\/clubs\/arsenal\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Arsenal<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Maresca lost his first unofficial game in charged, beaten by Inter Milan on penalties after a 1-1 draw. Man City then went on to beat K League All-Stars and Atletico Madrid, both by 3-1 scorelines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">So, how are Man City shaping up under Maresca?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-yoast-seo-table-of-contents yoast-table-of-contents\"><h2>Man City analysis under Maresca:<\/h2><ul><li><a href=\"#h-in-possession-shapes\" data-level=\"2\">In-possession shapes<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-one-on-one-isolation-focus\" data-level=\"2\">One-on-one isolation focus<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-defensive-ideas\" data-level=\"2\">Defensive ideas<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-player-profiling\" data-level=\"2\">Player profiling<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-in-possession-shapes\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">In-possession shapes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Maresca wants his sides to play out from the back, adding the goalkeeper to a 1-4-2-4 setup from restarts. His centre-backs split either side of the goalkeeper, with the double pivot remaining deep. The two full-backs are then able to push on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It means his sides can either bypass the press and access a four-on-four in the front line, or play out to arrive in more settled buildup phases. The system will depend on the different defensive schemes faced.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/08\/12012957\/Pitchshot-MCI-v-ATM-2-1024x576.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1478953\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/08\/12012957\/Pitchshot-MCI-v-ATM-2-1024x576.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/08\/12012957\/Pitchshot-MCI-v-ATM-2-300x169.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/08\/12012957\/Pitchshot-MCI-v-ATM-2-768x432.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/08\/12012957\/Pitchshot-MCI-v-ATM-2-1536x864.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/08\/12012957\/Pitchshot-MCI-v-ATM-2-2048x1152.jpeg 2048w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/08\/12012957\/Pitchshot-MCI-v-ATM-2-400x225.jpeg 400w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/08\/12012957\/Pitchshot-MCI-v-ATM-2-356x200.jpeg 356w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/08\/12012957\/Pitchshot-MCI-v-ATM-2-107x60.jpeg 107w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/08\/12012957\/Pitchshot-MCI-v-ATM-2-150x84.jpeg 150w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/08\/12012957\/Pitchshot-MCI-v-ATM-2-132x74.jpeg 132w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This setup can transition into a 3-2-5 shape, which is extremely common to see in the modern tactical landscape. Maresca likes to use an inverted full-back for his 3-2-5, creating a box midfield with the other three midfielders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The full-back can invert to join the double pivot, pushing one midfielder on to play higher in the pocket. Or he can occupy the pocket himself, keeping the pivot fixed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">On the opposite flank, the other full-back will tuck inside to form a back three on the ball alongside the two centre-backs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/08\/12011731\/Pitchshot-MCI-v-INT-1024x576.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1478952\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/08\/12011731\/Pitchshot-MCI-v-INT-1024x576.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/08\/12011731\/Pitchshot-MCI-v-INT-300x169.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/08\/12011731\/Pitchshot-MCI-v-INT-768x432.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/08\/12011731\/Pitchshot-MCI-v-INT-1536x864.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/08\/12011731\/Pitchshot-MCI-v-INT-2048x1152.jpeg 2048w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/08\/12011731\/Pitchshot-MCI-v-INT-400x225.jpeg 400w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/08\/12011731\/Pitchshot-MCI-v-INT-356x200.jpeg 356w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/08\/12011731\/Pitchshot-MCI-v-INT-107x60.jpeg 107w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/08\/12011731\/Pitchshot-MCI-v-INT-150x84.jpeg 150w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/08\/12011731\/Pitchshot-MCI-v-INT-132x74.jpeg 132w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">However, Maresca also likes to utilise a 3-1-6 shape, which can then shift into a 2-2-5-1 with both full-backs advancing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This often depends on the shape of the opponents. Maresca wants to overload the last line (having six against a back five) and overload the front press (with a back three vs a front two). <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Having three players between the lines behind the striker also allows for more fluidity. It brings timely drops to join the single pivot and interchangeable movements to operate in the half-spaces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/08\/12013000\/Pitchshot-MCI-v-ATM-1-1024x576.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1478954\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/08\/12013000\/Pitchshot-MCI-v-ATM-1-1024x576.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/08\/12013000\/Pitchshot-MCI-v-ATM-1-300x169.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/08\/12013000\/Pitchshot-MCI-v-ATM-1-768x432.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/08\/12013000\/Pitchshot-MCI-v-ATM-1-1536x864.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/08\/12013000\/Pitchshot-MCI-v-ATM-1-2048x1152.jpeg 2048w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/08\/12013000\/Pitchshot-MCI-v-ATM-1-400x225.jpeg 400w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/08\/12013000\/Pitchshot-MCI-v-ATM-1-356x200.jpeg 356w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/08\/12013000\/Pitchshot-MCI-v-ATM-1-107x60.jpeg 107w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/08\/12013000\/Pitchshot-MCI-v-ATM-1-150x84.jpeg 150w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/08\/12013000\/Pitchshot-MCI-v-ATM-1-132x74.jpeg 132w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Having the correct profiles who help to shift into different shapes is key to this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Full-backs are expected to be comfortable inside the pitch at different heights. Midfielders are also expected to operate in different zones dependent on shape.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-one-on-one-isolation-focus\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">One-on-one isolation focus<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Having players out wide to create unblanace one-on-one is a big part of Maresca&#8217;s system. He looks to isolate his wingers frequently one-on-one against the opposition full-backs. It&#8217;s something we&#8217;ve seen already during his time in charge of both <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/stats\/clubs\/leicester-city\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Leicester City<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/stats\/clubs\/chelsea\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Chelsea<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Antoine Semenyo has already shown exciting signs in these conditions, providing four assists in three pre-season matches. Being very two-footed, Semenyo has the ability to play on both sides, offering two-way threat off the dribble.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class='vccm vccm-compare'data-compare=\"pRIICTfR3cRDpEuC0-7qR\" data-show-sponsor=\"false\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Jeremy Doku might be the best winger in the Premier League for one-on-one ability, often being doubled or tripled-up on. This creates advantageous conditions elsewhere on the pitch, which Maresca&#8217;s positional system is then designed to exploit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Jeremy Monga, Jaden Heskey and Ryan McAidoo are young touchline winger archetypes that Maresca could have at his disposal long term. And all three would develop nicely in the conditions afforded to them within this system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-defensive-ideas\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Defensive ideas<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Maresca has been asking his side to press quite passively from restarts, using the front four to block central access. This forces the opposition into a few decisions. They either look to clip balls over to the free full-backs or go direct into an underloaded frontline.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/08\/12020130\/Pitchshot-MCI-v-ATM-3-1024x576.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1478956\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/08\/12020130\/Pitchshot-MCI-v-ATM-3-1024x576.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/08\/12020130\/Pitchshot-MCI-v-ATM-3-300x169.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/08\/12020130\/Pitchshot-MCI-v-ATM-3-768x432.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/08\/12020130\/Pitchshot-MCI-v-ATM-3-1536x864.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/08\/12020130\/Pitchshot-MCI-v-ATM-3-2048x1152.jpeg 2048w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/08\/12020130\/Pitchshot-MCI-v-ATM-3-400x225.jpeg 400w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/08\/12020130\/Pitchshot-MCI-v-ATM-3-356x200.jpeg 356w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/08\/12020130\/Pitchshot-MCI-v-ATM-3-107x60.jpeg 107w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/08\/12020130\/Pitchshot-MCI-v-ATM-3-150x84.jpeg 150w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/08\/12020130\/Pitchshot-MCI-v-ATM-3-132x74.jpeg 132w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Behind the front four Man City have been more man-oriented from restarts. The full-backs are ready to jump to their counterparts, with one midfielder staying deeper to match up against four opposition attackers. Each track their runner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The block shape and triggers are similar when in settled possession phases, looking like a continuation of Pep Guardiola&#8217;s work last season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/08\/12022328\/Pitchshot-MCI-v-ATM-4-1024x576.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1478960\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/08\/12022328\/Pitchshot-MCI-v-ATM-4-1024x576.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/08\/12022328\/Pitchshot-MCI-v-ATM-4-300x169.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/08\/12022328\/Pitchshot-MCI-v-ATM-4-768x432.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/08\/12022328\/Pitchshot-MCI-v-ATM-4-1536x864.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/08\/12022328\/Pitchshot-MCI-v-ATM-4-2048x1152.jpeg 2048w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/08\/12022328\/Pitchshot-MCI-v-ATM-4-400x225.jpeg 400w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/08\/12022328\/Pitchshot-MCI-v-ATM-4-356x200.jpeg 356w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/08\/12022328\/Pitchshot-MCI-v-ATM-4-107x60.jpeg 107w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/08\/12022328\/Pitchshot-MCI-v-ATM-4-150x84.jpeg 150w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/08\/12022328\/Pitchshot-MCI-v-ATM-4-132x74.jpeg 132w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sitting in a 4-2-4 zonal high block, Maresca&#8217;s side can transition into a man-for-man press through specfic wide triggers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The wide men will look to jump onto the opposition centre-backs, while the two centre-forwards cover access to the pivot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Man City&#8217;s ball-side full-back will then jump (if not pinned) onto the opposition full-back, with the rest of the defence shuffling over. It leaves the weak spot (the free man) of their defensive organisation on the far side of the pitch, where it is difficult to access.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-player-profiling\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Player profiling<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Maresca hasn&#8217;t got his full squad back yet, with important players yet to feature. And certain profiles are expected to be key for his ideas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Doku, for example, is a perfect Maresca winger. The Belgian gets into one-on-one isolations and looks to be direct to make things happen. Nico O&#8217;Reilly is comfortable in central zones, due to his history as a midfielder, and will likely be used that way by Maresca.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We&#8217;ve also already seen Matheus Nunes playing at right-back under Maresca. The Portuguese man has the ability to play as the right centre-back tucked inside, but also invert to form the 2-2-5-1 shape when both full-backs advance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In midfield, the addition of Elliot Anderson is an excellent one. The Englishman is a generalist profile who can do everything and operate in different zones depending on the tactical setup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Another midfield signing is expected, with Rodri&#8217;s future still unclear. So another midfielder who gives tactical versatility could come through the door.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Lastly, Erling Haaland is an obvious one. The striker giving Maresca a box threat to profit from the wingers getting a high volume of one-on-one isolations, looking to create for themselves or serve the Norwegian talisman in the box.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We will get a much better idea of Maresca&#8217;s favourites once he has his full squad available. But the tactical foundations are already clear, making it easy to see where certain players will fit in his plans once they do return.<\/p>\n\n\n<h3><strong>Read more:<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/bet\/football-tips\/premier-league\/\"><strong>Premier League predictions &amp; tips<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/outright-markets\/premier-league-title-odds\/\"><strong>Premier League outright odds <\/strong><\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/news\/\"><strong>Latest football news<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/bet\/betting-sites\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Best betting sites<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/bet\/betting-sites\/best-free-bet-offers\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Best free bet offers<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/bet\/football-tips\/accumulator\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Football accumulator tips<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Enzo Maresca is preparing for the biggest game of his early Manchester City managerial career. The Citizens contest the Community Shield on Sunday as FA Cup holders, facing Premier League champions Arsenal. Maresca lost his first unofficial game in charged, beaten by Inter Milan on penalties after a 1-1 draw. Man City then went on&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3107,"featured_media":1478946,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_yoast_wpseo_focuskw":"man city enzo maresca","_yoast_wpseo_title":"","_yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"Enzo Maresca has had a few games in charge of Manchester City and his tactics are starting to fall into place ahead of the Community Shield.","footnotes":""},"tags":[],"features-category":[],"squawka-category":[],"class_list":["post-1478945","features","type-features","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":{"external_featured_image_url":"","hide_featured_image_pattern":false},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v28.0 (Yoast SEO v28.0) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>How Enzo Maresca&#039;s Man City approach is shaping up in pre-season | Squawka | EN<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Enzo Maresca has had a few games in charge of Manchester City and 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