Enzo Maresca Plays Down Man City Six-Game Winning Run After Norwich Rout
Enzo Maresca is refusing to get carried away by Manchester City’s perfect start to the season.
City made it six wins from six competitive matches on Thursday after beating Norwich City 5-0 in the Carabao Cup third round. Despite the impressive run, Maresca said he is focused only on the next game rather than thinking about where his team could be several weeks from now.
Maresca Focused on One Game at a Time
Maresca took over at Manchester City in the summer after Pep Guardiola’s decade-long spell as manager.
His first six matches have produced six victories. City have also recorded wins in the Premier League and Champions League, before continuing their run against Norwich.
However, Maresca said the results have not changed his approach.
“I am not thinking more than one week ahead,” the City manager said after the Norwich match. He explained that football can change quickly and that he was not thinking about where City would be after six or seven games when the season began.
City Cruise Past Norwich
The latest victory was particularly impressive because Maresca made 10 changes to the side that had beaten Manchester United.
Seventeen-year-old Floyd Samba took advantage of the opportunity by scoring twice on his senior debut. Rayan Cherki, debutant Allan and academy graduate Ryan McAidoo also scored as City cruised into the fourth round.
Samba opened the scoring with a header before Cherki doubled the advantage. Allan then scored on his first appearance for the club, while Samba added his second with a curling effort. McAidoo completed the scoring late in the game.
Young Players Impress Maresca
The Norwich victory also gave several younger players valuable first-team experience.
Samba was the standout performer, while 18-year-old McAidoo also found the net. Maresca was able to rest several senior players while still putting together a strong enough team to dominate the Championship side.
The manager has stressed that squad depth will become important as the season progresses and Manchester City compete in multiple competitions.
Players who get opportunities in cup matches could therefore have a bigger role later in the campaign.
Attention Turns to Sunderland
Maresca’s immediate focus is now on City’s next Premier League match against Sunderland.
He said his team could enjoy the Norwich victory but must quickly move on because another important match is approaching.
The manager’s approach reflects the demands of a long season. Manchester City still have Premier League, Champions League and domestic cup fixtures ahead, with more difficult tests expected after the international break.
Six Wins but Plenty Still to Prove
City’s six-game winning streak has provided an encouraging beginning to Maresca’s reign, but the manager knows the season is still in its early stages.
The team has already produced notable victories, including wins over Manchester United and Porto. The Norwich result also showed that City can rotate their lineup without losing their attacking threat.
Maresca, however, is keeping his attention on the present.
For now, the Italian manager is not looking too far ahead. His message is simple: enjoy the latest win, prepare for Sunderland and continue taking the season one match at a time.
Manchester City’s perfect start has given Maresca plenty to be pleased about, but he knows the biggest challenges of the campaign are still to come.
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