Ahead of Porto opener, Maresca echoes Haaland’s warning over early‑season fatigue

PORTO, September 8 — Manchester City head coach Enzo Maresca commented on the challenge of early-season fatigue for his World Cup players ahead of the club's upcoming Champions League match against Porto. Speaking at the Dragao Stadium, Maresca echoed the sentiments of Manchester City striker Erling Haaland, who had previously expressed his concerns in a video posted on his YouTube channel.

Haaland, who has scored three goals in three league matches so far but did not participate in the pre-season warm-up games, highlighted the difficulties of maintaining both physical and mental sharpness throughout the lengthy season. Maresca empathized with Haaland and his teammates, acknowledging that it is not easy for them to continue representing their national teams while also committing to their club obligations.

He suggested that occasional rest periods, ranging from a single game to a week away from football, could be beneficial. Maresca emphasized the importance of maintaining focus on a day-to-day basis, as the real challenge lies in the continuous improvement of the team's performance over the course of the season.