Maresca on Man City rotation dilemma ahead of Champions League clash

Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca has indicated that rotation may be necessary ahead of the club's opening Champions League match against FC Porto. The game, which is set to take place on Tuesday night in Portugal, will be followed by a Manchester derby against Manchester United on Sunday. With a busy schedule ahead, managing the squad will be crucial for Maresca.

The manager has highlighted that players such as Ayoub Bouaddi, Ryan McAidoo, and Iliman Ndiaye may be making their Champions League debuts, prompting the decision to play them in the upcoming match. Maresca emphasized that these players need to gain experience in the competition and have been given the opportunity to start.

However, the focus will remain on Erling Haaland, who has been a consistent performer, playing every minute of the team's league games so far this season. The Norwegian striker is likely to continue playing regularly, with Maresca protecting him due to the long nature of the season and the need for recovery periods.

When asked about the availability of backup options for Haaland, Maresca acknowledged that the decision would depend on the specific game plan. Antoine Semenyo and Phil Foden have both had limited playing time in recent matches, and their involvement in the team will vary depending on the tactics employed by Maresca.