Despite the defensive wobbles that threatened to derail Manchester City‘s dramatic 2-3 win at the Red Bull Arena on Wednesday night, the quality carried throughout the middle of the pitch was essential in overcoming Martin Demichelis’ strong RB Leipzig outfit.
On a night when two sloppy goals were conceded before Erling Haaland’s effort had the final say, a midfield trio of Elliot Anderson, Enzo Fernández, and Rayan Cherki all caught the eye at the heart of Enzo Maresca’s side.
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The Italian manager was quick to acknowledge as much after the contest during his post-match media duties, lavishing praise on his selected midfielders and offering extra context about how he sees them fitting together.
Maresca – who has come under recent criticism from some sections of the fanbase for not deploying Ayyoub Bouaddi more often – also explained some of his thinking behind the chopping and changing that has become a feature of his first few months at the Etihad Stadium.
Asked about the performance in the centre of the park, Enzo Maresca had warm words for all three of his midfielders. And speaking to TNT Sports, the Italian coach made sure to spread the credit around.
“Elliot [Anderson] was good, Enzo [Fernandez] was good, Rayan Cherki was very, very good, also! So [I’m] very happy with their performance,” Maresca said.
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£116 million summer signing from Nottingham Forest, Elliot Anderson – who set up the aforementioned Haaland’s winner with some very sharp attacking play – has settled quickly into the Manchester City midfield, and Enzo Maresca believes his versatility is a huge asset for the squad.
“I think he [Elliot Anderson] can be a No.6, he can be a No.8 – so I’m very happy with his performance,” Maresca went on to tell ManCity.com.
There was encouragement for Enzo Fernández, too. The Argentine international briefly put Manchester City back in front after Ridle Baku’s equaliser, sneaking into the box to head home from Iliman Ndiaye’s in-swinging cross.
The club-record signing, brought into the club for £125 million from Chelsea in September, reached double figures for league goals in his final season in west London – and his manager has no doubt the same will come in sky blue.
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“No doubt that he [Enzo Fernández] is going to score more goals,” Enzo Maresca said at his post-match press conference from the Red Bull Arena.
That strength in depth also helps explain the manager’s willingness to rotate, and when asked about midfield alterations, Enzo Maresca made a point about the challenges and benefits of managing a squad packed with options, noting that he has been shuffling his defence just as frequently.
“We have so many good players that to go always with the same one I don’t think is correct. It’s good to give chances to all, but I think it’s the same with the defence; sometimes [Abdukodir] Khusa was out, sometimes Marc Guehi, tonight Ruben [Dias] was out,” Enzo Maresca said.
He continued, “It’s just four months, I need also to understand more things about the players, I need to understand them better. That’s why I’m so confident because I’m sure that we are going to be better and better.”
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The defensive questions hanging over the side have not gone away – and nor have the doubts about consistency on the wings and in goal. However, along with Erling Haaland’s ever-reliable form, the quality and depth in midfield are an asset for Enzo Maresca to lean on.
With Manchester City looking to bounce back from back-to-back league defeats and challenge Arsenal for the Premier League title, names like Enzo Fernandez, Elliot Anderson and Rayan Cherki are guaranteed to be in the thick of the action if Enzo Maresca is to have a trophy-winning first season at the Etihad Stadium.
