Maresca views Community Shield defeat as learning curve for Man City

Enzo Maresca viewed Manchester City's Community Shield defeat to Arsenal as a good opportunity to learn more about his side.

City lost 3-0 to the Gunners last Sunday, with Riccardo Calafiori, Kai Havertz and Martin Odegaard on target for the Premier League champions.

Since the start of 2025, City have only trailed by 3+ goals in a game against a Premier League side on two occasions: a 5-1 loss to Arsenal in February 2025 and going 3-0 down against the Gunners last time out.

City will now turn their attention to the Premier League as they begin their season at home to Bournemouth this weekend.

Maresca believes the defeat helped him learn more about his City players as they get to know each other.

"We started with four players who didn't play a single minute in pre-season, while all 11 Arsenal players played minutes before," Maresca told Sky Sports.

"The physical condition was completely different. I think it was completely different between us and them.

"But overall, I think it was good in terms of learning. For me, it has been important because I need to know the players. I need to know how they work in some situations.

"And it was important to see the reaction from the players, after the first goal and after the game. We are getting to know each other."

Bournemouth's last fixture against City proved to be pivotal, as their 1-1 draw in May both confirmed their place in Europe and saw Arsenal confirmed as Premier League champions.

This time around, Marco Rose will be at the helm instead of Andoni Iraola, and the German is relishing the opportunity to coach in the English top flight.

"It’s exciting, for sure," said Rose ahead of Bournemouth's trip to Etihad Stadium.

"They are a top club with a top coach and a top squad. I watched three of their pre-season friendlies and didn’t expect the result from the Arsenal game.

"They are a top team with a top coach but I’m not here to praise Manchester City, I’m here to compete with them at the weekend."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Manchester City – Erling Haaland

Erling Haaland has scored 22 goals in 14 Premier League appearances in the month of August.

Indeed, of all players to score 10+ goals in a particular month in the competition, Haaland’s average of 54 minutes-per-goal in August is the best.

Bournemouth – Rayan

Junior Kroupi is set to miss the start of the season with injury, though Rayan could step up for the Cherries.

Last season, through Kroupi (October) and Rayan (April-May), Bournemouth became the first team in Premier League history to have two different teenagers score in three consecutive games in the same season.

MATCH PREDICTION – MANCHESTER CITY WIN

City have won all nine of their Premier League home games against Bournemouth by an aggregate score of 34-6.

The Citizens have netted 3.8 goals per game when hosting the Cherries in the competition; their highest average against any opponent on home soil.

City have also won their opening game in 14 of the last 15 Premier League seasons, the exception a 1-0 defeat to Tottenham in 2021-22. It's four more wins on MD1 than any other side has had since 2011-12.

Bournemouth have won their opening game in just two out of nine Premier League campaigns (D3 L4), beating Cardiff City in 2018-19 and Aston Villa in 2022-23.

However, Bournemouth lost none of their final 18 Premier League games of 2025-26 under Andoni Iraola (W8 D10), the longest current unbeaten run in the division.

It means that Rose is only the second manager whose first Premier League game at a club comes with them on an ongoing 10+ match unbeaten run in the competition, after Felipe Scolari at Chelsea in 2008 (21 unbeaten beforehand).

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Manchester City – 63.3%

Draw – 19.8%

Bournemouth – 16.9%