Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca previewed his side's upcoming European clash against Greek champions AEK Athens in a press conference on Monday afternoon.
City saw their perfect start to the 2026-27 season halt at eight games in all competitions last week courtesy of back-to-back UEFA Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain, who claimed a 4-2 win at the Etihad Stadium courtesy of a world-class attacking display in the opening 45 minutes that saw them enter half-time three goals to the good.
Maresca and co responded to the setback with a hard-fought 3-2 win over Ipswich Town at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday to extend their winning start to the Premier League season to seven games, setting a record in the process.
The Blues are vying to compete on all fronts in their first season since Pep Guardiola departed his post as manager, having recruited heavily in the summer transfer market and made wholesale changes to the dressing room.
Manchester City will navigate the next two months without the clinical Antoine Semenyo, who suffered what is understood to be a knee injury in the win over Ipswich.
However, the Blues will have marksman Erling Haaland available for Tuesday night's home fixture against AEK Athens after the 26-year-old was seen hobbling in the dying moments of the weekend win over the Tractor Boys.
AEK Athens is a huge game for us, says Man City boss Maresca
Speaking in a press conference on Monday afternoon, Maresca addressed the threat posed by his side's upcoming opponents as City look to return to winning ways in Europe.
"It's a huge game tomorrow for us," the 46-year-old said. "It's a Champions League game, unfortunately we lost the last one, so we need to win games. And we are going to try to win the game with our best players in this moment."
Having played in the Greek Super League during the 2009/10 season for Olympiacos S.F.P, Maresca also touched on the passion of the AEK Athens fanbase.
"I know that AEK Athens fans are going to be quite warm, but I think it's all Greek fans - they are all quite similar in terms of all the teams," the Manchester City manager added.
"I still remember PAOK away, it's very difficult also with their fans. So I expect them very warm, but we also play at home with our fans and we're happy with that!"
How could Man City line up against AEK Athens?
Manchester City have made a flying start to the Maresca era and the Blues' most lucrative signings from the summer - Elliot Anderson, Enzo Fernandez and Ayyoub Bouaddi - have all quickly adapted to the demands at the Etihad Stadium.
Bouaddi was rewarded for a brilliant second-half performance against PSG last week with a first Premier League start against Ipswich at the weekend, with the Morocco international expected to retain his place in the line-up against AEK Athens on Tuesday.
Maresca could use the European clash to shuffle his pack and after making six changes to the starting XI at the weekend, the Italian could give a day off to the many Manchester City players who have been playing 90 minutes regularly for club and country in recent months.