In an interview with Sky Sports, Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca discussed the club's current situation, preparations for the away match against Liverpool, and player workload. He stated that he has complete trust in the club and that the team's atmosphere is currently excellent, but a seven-game winning streak does not mean there isn't room for improvement.
I know you say you're calm, but this is clearly a very difficult situation. My impression of you has always been that you're most at ease with the players, most at ease on the training ground, and perhaps every coach is like that. But now, you have to shield the players from outside pressure, and you also have to face the public on behalf of the club. How have you felt over the past few weeks, especially after that last press conference? How have you dealt with it?
I always try to start conversations with honesty. I'll tell you what I can, and we'll go from there. As you said, before the international break, we played seven games and won all seven. We used the international break to analyze where we can still improve. But at the same time, there's been some noise around the club and the team.
However, again, there's a process for this, and the appeal is ongoing, so we really need to wait. Ultimately, the reason I joined this club is because I have complete trust in the club and complete trust in the people within it. That's it.
So, were you initially shocked? You came to this club, which has everything you need to succeed, and it's an opportunity you've worked for your entire career, but suddenly everything was disrupted.
First, I have to say, I was also here the season the team won the treble. Similar things happened then, like accusations and so on. However, whether in good times or in the midst of a storm, you need to adjust yourself. This is part of our life and work, and for me, it's completely fine.
How do you manage the players? I remember you saying they're all excellent, but each person's situation must be different. Have you held a team meeting? Or do you observe them in training to see how different players are coping with this significant moment in their careers and lives?
No, I can assure you that the only time we discussed this collectively was when the club explained the situation to everyone, and that was it. Furthermore, these players are only twenty, twenty-five years old; they just want to enjoy football. So they come here to train, and we prepare as best we can for the match at Anfield, aiming to win.
What are your feelings about the challenge you'll face at Anfield and the atmosphere that might be there?
The atmosphere at Anfield is great for every game, so we won't worry because, ultimately, it's a football match. Of course, the atmosphere will be even more intense. But in the end, it's still a football match.
Are you eager for the match to arrive so you can refocus on football? No matter how intense the atmosphere, when you're on the sidelines or working with the players in the changing room discussing tactics, in a sense, you can take the first step and put this aside, at least for a while.
I like to prepare for games at the right pace. Now, the players have finished their national team duties and are back at the club. Yesterday, we had our first joint training session with all the players back. Today and tomorrow, we have two more training sessions to prepare for this match. We will be as ready as possible. On Sunday, the day of the game, going to the stadium will also be a good experience.
You said you watched the February game, which was very dramatic, and Manchester City won at Anfield. What did you learn from that?
First, as has happened many times before, the game isn't over until the very end, whether things go your way or not. Also, the celebrations after the game are a very beautiful moment.
So, what challenge will Liverpool under Arne Slot pose to you? I imagine this Liverpool is somewhat different from before, playing in a different way.
In any case, Arne Slot did an excellent job at Feyenoord, and he will do an excellent job at Liverpool too, there's no doubt about that.
How do you view the team's start? I mean, before the international break and before the "noise" you mentioned, how satisfied were you with the team's performance?
Very satisfied, very satisfied. Seven wins in seven games is, of course, very important. But for me, what's more important is seeing the players learn every day, understanding how we want to play with and without the ball. We won these seven games, but at the same time, there's still a lot we can do better.
Specifically, what areas can be improved?
Many areas, many areas. First, our pressing; there are still some areas where we can do better, and we need to improve. I think the same applies to set pieces, both offensively and defensively; there are areas where we can do better. But this is football. Football is always evolving and changing, so overall, you can always find areas for continuous improvement.
It's not easy to succeed a manager of Pep Guardiola's caliber; there have been many such examples in Premier League history. You seem to be handling it calmly, even in the recent press conference, facing a difficult situation, you remained calm as you said. Why are you able to handle a potentially difficult situation with such ease? I'm referring to succeeding Pep here.
Yes. From day one, I just try to be myself. I try to manage the players, prepare for games, and try to win games, in exactly the same way I did at Chelsea and even earlier at Leicester City. So I haven't adopted a different approach; I just try to be myself.
Is this also an opportunity to enjoy? This is an opportunity you've worked for your entire career, from your playing days at Leicester City to Chelsea, and now you're at a top club, and you can enjoy this opportunity you've earned through your own efforts.
Of course. It feels great to work at a club like Manchester City. However, coaching at Chelsea and Leicester City, in the way I like to coach, was also great for me. Because I enjoy working every day, and I enjoy seeing players constantly improving. How can I help you improve? I can also improve myself. How can I help you improve day by day? This is my job, and it's what I love. Because I am one hundred percent convinced that when players improve, the team improves with them. So we need to help the players improve.
What's the situation with Erling Haaland? He was substituted in the last national team match. Afterwards, his national team coach spoke about his condition, and I remember the phrase used was "completely exhausted." When I interviewed him yesterday, he also spoke about the workload of top players. Are you generally concerned about this issue? Are you also concerned about his physical condition at the moment?
To be honest, it's not just Erling. I'm concerned about the excessive number of games the players have. So it's not just Erling, but also Rúben and other players. All players participating in national team matches play three or four games after leaving the club. This is the current situation, and it may cause problems for them in the future.
So, what's their physical condition like when they return? I'm talking about the current situation.
Fortunately, they are all in good physical condition, which is the most important thing. We need to manage the workload and playing time of some of these players, and we will do so.
Finally, both on and off the field, you will face big challenges ahead. What's the team atmosphere like right now?
The team atmosphere is excellent. As I said, maybe you want to hear something different or different phrasing, but the team atmosphere is really excellent. The players are in good form, they are happy and excited. Again, at this moment, we also need to enjoy being at the top of the league. So the team atmosphere is excellent.
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