{
  "id": 18040483,
  "title": "Leipzig’s Demichelis relishing City clash with ‘best friend’ Maresca",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/03/leipzigs-demichelis-relishing-city-clash-with-best-friend-maresca",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-03T23:50:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today-freemalays",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/sports/2026/11/04/leipzig-s-demichelis-relishing-city-clash-with-best-friend-maresca"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "RB Leipzig manager Martin Demichelis expressed his excitement about facing long-time friend and Manchester City boss Enzo Maresca in the upcoming Champions League match. The two were neighbors and played together at Malaga, and Demichelis considers Maresca to be his best friend in football. Demichelis, 45, and Maresca, 47, were also kids who grew up together and both aspired to become coaches early on. Maresca reached out to Demichelis on Monday to inquire about the likely starting XI for Leipzig. Demichelis described Maresca as intelligent and pragmatic, and said their shared philosophy and objectives make the upcoming match an honor. Both men are ambitious winners who aim to secure titles. Demichelis spent three successful years at Manchester City, winning the 2013-14 Premier League title and two League Cups, but he said the recent financial penalties do not concern him. He emphasized that his focus for the upcoming match is on delivering a good performance from RB Leipzig.",
  "summary": "Martin Demichelis considered Manchester City boss Enzo Maresca his 'brother' as they were neighbours during their time playing at Malaga.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}