Maresca appeared again to final September when goalkeeper Robert Sanchez was dismissed after solely 5 minutes for former facet Chelsea on the identical venue – a defeat which he referenced after Sunday’s recreation.
The supervisor was compelled into adjustments that night and appeared to panic by making two substitutions within the opening seven minutes, successfully shifting his facet to a again 5 however unable to see the sport out.
Quick ahead one 12 months – his determination to evaluate the state of affairs earlier than making main adjustments proved vital, shifting Rayan Cherki to the precise, then changing him at half-time with Iliman Ndiaye was a noteworthy tactical tweak.
“How do you say in English? Completely satisfied spouse, glad life. For us, glad Erling, glad life,” mentioned a beaming Maresca after being requested about Erling Haaland’s winner and his contributions this season.
Such jovial remarks from a smiling Maresca in information conferences are in distinction to predecessor Guardiola, who typically appeared like he would somewhat be anyplace else however in that chair.
In Might, which transpired to be Guardiola’s closing month at Metropolis, the Spaniard was requested what recommendation he would give the subsequent supervisor.
“Be themselves,” was the reply – and Maresca is starting to step out of his shadow.
Whereas Guardiola was typically leaping and screaming round his technical space throughout video games, Maresca appears to be the other as he tends to face immobile by the pitch together with his arms folded.
Essentially the most eye-catching change in coaching has been the introduction of loud home music, which Maresca himself described because the “growth, growth, growth” sort – the strategy is to make the gamers really feel “extra glad” and “work higher”.
New captain Ruben Dias just lately mentioned in a BBC Sport interview that Maresca had launched his personal concepts, however the fundamentals stay as they had been beneath Guardiola.
Dias mentioned: “There’s clearly many issues from coaching classes to some particulars about the best way we press, particulars about the best way we defend that make all of those Enzo’s thought.
“It is nonetheless a change, in fact. Many issues have modified, however in some methods continuity when it comes to the best way we’re enjoying, and there are particulars that make it completely different. However nonetheless, all similar to the best way we’ve got all the time behaved on the membership.”