How Maresca's Man City are shaping up compared with Guardiola

Pep Guardiola's influence on Manchester City under their new manager, Enzo Maresca, is evident in the team's tactical approach. Despite Maresca's appointment, the club's style has evolved with Maresca's own distinct methods. Guardiola, known for his adaptability, did not rigidly adhere to a single system, focusing instead on principles such as maintaining possession, maintaining a defensive rest, and employing positional play.

Maresca's City showcases these principles, evident in their 64% possession in their first game against Inter Milan. Players are assigned specific positions on the field, playing in a 3-2-2-3 shape similar to the one Maresca used while managing Chelsea. The team's defensive rest is maintained by players staying behind the ball while the attack is ongoing, ready to counter-attack.

A key aspect of Maresca's system is the use of wingers, who are expected to stay high and wide, resisting the urge to drift into the middle. This approach, reminiscent of the work of Raheem Sterling and Leroy Sane in 2017, allows the wingers to receive the ball with time and space, often leading to goals. Other players, such as Phil Foden and Rayan Cherki, are encouraged to capitalize on the spaces created by the wingers.

In contrast to his man-to-man press at Chelsea, Maresca has adopted a more zonal approach to defending this season, reflecting the game's changing dynamics. The team's defend high up the pitch but are prepared to press opponents when the moment is right. This approach aims to create opportunities for attackers comfortable in small spaces, potentially impacting games.