Enzo Maresca will speak to the media ahead of Manchester City's clash with Ipswich tomorrow
Enzo Maresca will speak to the media ahead of Manchester City's clash with Ipswich tomorrow
Welcome to Enzo Maresca's pre-match press conference blog ahead of Manchester City's clash with Ipswich Town.
Maresca will be glad the noise around the charges has settled down, at least during his press conferences, with the focus switching back to on-field matters. Compared to last week, this should be a more routine media briefing for the Italian.
The City boss is likely to provide injury updates ahead of Saturday's clash with the newly promoted side. Maresca made a triple change at the break against Ipswich with Jeremy Doku, Rayan Cherki and Ruben Dias all replaced, albeit this was likely to be tactical rather than due to injuries.
Pep Guardiola may also be brought up after his return to the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday. Maresca confirmed he did not meet with his friend before the game, but they could have spoken afterwards.
Ayyoub Bouaddi's involvement drew praise on Wednesday night. His introduction from the bench helped change the game in City's favour. Maresca may provide clarity as to whether he has earned himself a start ahead of the weekend.
Injury updates
City could have a full bill of health heading into this game. Maresca will provide more clarity later, but there didn't appear to be any injuries during the clash against PSG and that will be welcome news as this busy run of fixtures continues...
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 11: Enzo Maresca, Manager / Head Coach of Manchester City celebrates after the Premier League 2026/27 match between Liverpool FC and Manchester City at Anfield on October 11, 2026 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 11: Enzo Maresca, Manager / Head Coach of Manchester City celebrates after the Premier League 2026/27 match between Liverpool FC and Manchester City at Anfield on October 11, 2026 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)
Good opponent for City to bounce back against?
Ipswich have been a mixed bag since their return to the Premier League. They have picked up wins against teams they need to be beating - Sunderland, Palace and Fulham have all been defeated. But they were torn to shreds by United on their last trip to Manchester and City will be heavy favourites for this one.
Ipswich manager Gary O'Neil.
Ipswich manager Gary O'Neil. (Image: Marc Atkins/Getty Images)
Guehi explains what City players will do next after PSG defeat
Guehi insisted the Blues will be hard on themselves after losing 4-2 to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League. City were blown away by PSG in the first half as Desire Doue, Ousmane Dembele and Vitinha, all scored to give Luis Enrique's side a healthy advantage. Enzo Maresca made a triple change at the break to try and change the game in their favour. Erling Haaland scored less than 10 minutes into the second half to give City fans hope of an improbable comeback. However, Maghnes Akliouche's freak goal pushed that out of reach.
Haaland would score again to close the gap to two but the mountain proved too high to climb. Ferran Torres was denied from the penalty spot late on, but it was PSG who took the points.
Read more here>>>
Marc Guehi gave an honest reaction after Manchester City lost 4-2 to PSG in the Champions League
Marc Guehi gave an honest reaction after Manchester City lost 4-2 to PSG in the Champions League(Image: Declan Lloyd/Manchester City FC via Getty Images)
Sacked United boss claims City cost him his job
Louis van Gaal believes he lost his job at Manchester United as a direct result of the Man City cheating scandal. Van Gaal was sacked by the Old Trafford hierarchy after City pipped United to Champions League football in May 2016 on goal difference. The Dutchman’s final game in charge was the FA Cup final, where he claimed victory over Crystal Palace, but 24 hours later he received his marching orders and was eventually replaced by Jose Mourinho. But Van Gaal has now been left wondering what might have been for him after it was confirmed that an independent commission had ruled that City were guilty of all breaches of the Premier League’s financial rules, with the club benefitting from more than £900m of disguised funding between 2009 and 2018.
Speaking to The Athletic by email, he said: “For me, at the time, that (missing out on the Champions League in 2016) was probably the deciding factor in my dismissal from Manchester United and all the consequences and suffering this entailed.”
Read more here>>>
Jose Mourinho and Louis van Gaal
Jose Mourinho and Louis van Gaal(Image: (John Peters/Manchester United via Getty Images))
A brand new episode of the Talking City podcast will be released later today ahead of tomorrow's clash with Ipswich. Alex James and Simon Bajkowski will be reflecting on what Maresca has to say in his press conference, as well as this weekend's action.
Ahead of that new release, you can catch up on the most recent episode here>>>
The Talking City podcast returns for Manchester City's new era under Enzo Maresca
The Talking City podcast returns for Manchester City's new era under Enzo Maresca
That's a question that could be posed to Maresca today. The forward was getting in the right areas on Wednesday night but he did miss some gilt-edge opportunities. Out of his six total shots, just one was on target which, for a forward, is not good enough. However, if he keeps getting into those right positions, the goals will come.
Antoine Semenyo of Manchester City during the Emirates FA Cup Third Round match between Manchester City and Exeter City
(Image: Getty Images)
Semenyo admits he is 'beating himself up' after Champions League defeat
Semenyo admits he is beating himself up after missing chances during Manchester City's 4-2 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League. City were outclassed in the first half by the defending champions and found themselves 3-0 down after just over half an hour. Desire Doue, Ousmane Dembele and Vitinha's goals put City on the ropes in front of their old boss Pep Guardiola. At half time, Enzo Maresca made a triple change and that had the desired effect. Within 10 minutes of the restart, City had squandered two big chances from Semenyo and Enzo Fernandez before Erling Haaland bagged his first.
City's tails were up - Semenyo hit the crossbar and Iliman Ndiaye had a couple of chances before Maghnes Akliouche hit the Blues with a suckerpunch. Semenyo then had another opportunity after PSG's fourth, but he fired into the side netting. Haaland would eventually score another, but it was only a consolation as City lost for the first time since the Community Shield.
Read more here>>>
Antoine Semenyo with his hands on his face
Manchester City were unfortunate not to get anything out of their Champions League clash with PSG(Image: Ryan Crockett/DeFodi Images/DeFodi via Getty Images)
Bouaddi quality
Bouaddi was perhaps the star performer for City on Wednesday night. His performance off the bench showed maturity beyond his years. His introduction alongside Anderson and Fernandez helped City win the midfield battle in the second half, and almost sparked a sensational comeback. It wasn't to be, but Bouaddi is certainly knocking on the door for a start.
(Image: Getty Images)
Maresca has already found the solution to a City problem
When a home team leaves the field 3-0 down at half-time, you'd expect boos to accompany the referee's whistle. But Manchester City fans just stood in stunned silence on Wednesday night after watching their side be dismantled by PSG. City were not at their best, but PSG were simply ruthless. Desire Doue, Ousmane Dembele and Vitinha carved through City with their goals, but the battle was being lost in the middle of the park. Warren Zaire-Emery may only be 20 but he was proving to be a pitbull in the middle of the park.
Each time PSG came forward in numbers, Elliot Anderson and Enzo Fernandez were cut adrift. Despite being so good at Liverpool, the pair were being overrun by the midfield three and that was causing City all kinds of problems in defence. The back four were all at sea and were exposed to the strength of PSG's attack.
Read more here>>>
Enzo Maresca and Ayyoub Bouaddi's heatmap
Manchester City found a solution against PSG that could serve them well for the remainder of the season(Image: FotMob/Getty Images)
Why Enrique didn't like PSG being 3-0 up at half time
Paris Saint-Germain head coach Luis Enrique claimed he was not happy with his side being 3-0 up against Manchester City at half time as he feared complacency may cost them. The defending Champions League holders were sensational in the first half against the Blues and raced into a 3-0 lead at the break. Goals from Desire Doue, Ousmane Dembele and Vitinha looked to have killed the game. However, City came out fighting in the second half.
Erling Haaland pulled one back shortly after the break, and City had numerous chances to score a second before Maghnes Akliouche's strike re-opened the three-goal lead. Enzo Maresca's side kept pushing and Haaland would complete his brace with 15 minutes remaining, but the French club held out for a big win in Manchester.
Read more here>>>
Luis Enrique and Enzo Maresca
Luis Enrique masterminded the perfect performance in the first half for PSG against Manchester City(Image: Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
When will we hear from Maresca?
Maresca is due to sit down with the media at around 1.30pm (UK time). As always, we will bring you everything he has to say.
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 9: Enzo Maresca, Manager of Manchester City, speaks to the press ahead of the Premier League clash against Liverpool at Manchester City Football Academy on October 9, 2026 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Tom Flathers/Manchester City FC via Getty Images)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 9: Enzo Maresca, Manager of Manchester City, speaks to the press ahead of the Premier League clash against Liverpool at Manchester City Football Academy on October 9, 2026 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Tom Flathers/Manchester City FC via Getty Images)
Maresca shares Enrique message after PSG beat City
Maresca believes that Manchester City are 'close' to the level of Paris Saint-Germain after going toe-to-toe with the Champions League winners for 45 minutes. The Blues were 3-0 down after the first half at the Etihad but rallied and were unfortunate in the end to lose by two goals. PSG boss Luis Enrique, who had backed City's past achievements ahead of the game despite their guilty verdict in the 115 case, told Maresca at the end that his side had been lucky to leave with the result that they did. While there will be concerns at the way City lost their way in the first half after conceding the first goal, the manager was upbeat about the way his team came back.
"I really like to play against PSG, to be honest because they are brave, I know they way they want to press, they don't care, they go man to man on the pitch, they are quite dynamic," said Maresca. "I like to play against them and I think we are there, to be honest."
Read more here>>>
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 14: Enzo Maresca, Manager of Manchester City and Luis Enrique, head coach of Paris Saint-Germain on the side line after the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD2 match between Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain at City of Manchester Stadium on October 14, 2026 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Richard Sellers/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 14: Enzo Maresca, Manager of Manchester City and Luis Enrique, head coach of Paris Saint-Germain on the side line after the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD2 match between Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain at City of Manchester Stadium on October 14, 2026 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Richard Sellers/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images)
Hello!
Hello and welcome along to Maresca's press conference blog ahead of City's clash with Ipswich tomorrow.
Compared to this time last week, the expectation is for this media briefing to be a bit more routine. Questions about the charges dimmed on Tuesday ahead of the clash with PSG.
The defeat to PSG was a mixed bag. City were outplayed in the first half, to an extent we have not seen for a long time. However, they were dominant for large spells of the second half and were unfortunate not to take something from the game.
It will be interesting to hear what Maresca made of it after watching it back. Perhaps he even got a post-match analysis from Guardiola...
Stay tuned for updates...