Enzo Maresca needs to stop overcomplicating things to get Manchester City firing again

Manchester City’s team has been disjointed this season, often lacking structure and making it easy for opponents to take advantage. Enzo Maresca’s tactics appear overly complicated, with players struggling in their roles and each other at times. Recent matches, like the 3-1 loss to Nottingham Forest, highlight this issue. Forest took a 2-0 lead in the opening 18 minutes, capitalizing on City’s disjointed midfield and defense.

Maresca’s side seemed lost and out of sync, with players making unnecessary movements and not utilizing their strengths effectively.

Simplifying Maresca’s system and assigning players to roles where they can excel is the key to unlocking City’s potential. Playing Enzo Fernandez alongside Elliot Anderson would strengthen the midfield, while Ayyoub Bouaddi should be in his ideal position. Adjusting the full-backs’ roles to fit their individual strengths would improve defense.

Matheus Nunes and Nico O’Reilly showed their value in possession last season, so reintroducing them could be beneficial. In essence, Maresca’s system has the potential to produce a strong team if simplified and tailored to the players’ abilities.