Maresca backs Man City to improve despite perfect start
Manchester City coach Enzo Maresca is confident that the team will get better despite their perfect start to the 2026-27 Premier League season after a 1-0 win over Coventry City on Saturday.
The Cityzens earned their third consecutive win of the season against the newly-promoted side thanks to a solitary goal from Erling Haaland in the first half.
However, Coventry City missed a host of chances in the encounter and Maresca has urged his players to improve on their defending.
He said: “To be honest, I was really pleased with the win. The main reason why is nine times in this kind of game, you finish conceding.
“The first half was 1-0 but we could have scored one or two more. We kept them alive. With 2-0 it’s a different game.
“The way we suffered together at the end was a good one. Defending throw ins, set pieces. Not all the wins are going to be nice, we need this kind of win in every way.
“That means we are going to be better and better.”
Read Also: Martinez shines as Inter Milan fight back to beat Napoli
New signing, Enzo Fernandez replaced Nico O’Reilly in the starting line-up just before the kick off and Maresca was pleased with his performance.
He said: “Nico felt something in his back. It doesn’t look serious but he wasn’t able to play.
“The reason Enzo wasn’t supposed to start was he arrived two days ago.
“I know how frustrating it’s been for him the last three weeks. He was going to get minutes but in the end it was from the start and I think he was quite good.”
In the other Premier League games on Saturday, Crystal Palace earned a 3-2 away win over Fulham, while the other five encounters ended in draws.
Newcastle United played out a 2-2 draw with Bournemouth, Brentford and Sunderland ended 1-1, Tottenham held Nottingham Forest to a goalless draw.
Brighton and Leeds United played out a 1-1 draw while Hull City and Aston Villa ended goalless.
Man City will take on Porto in Portugal on Tuesday in the Champions League.
