Manchester City play host to AEK Athens in the Champions League on Tuesday evening, with Enzo Maresca forced to navigate his first-team's workload carefully to avoid injury or burnout
Erling Haaland celebrates
Erling Haaland could use a break(Image: Manchester City FC via Getty Images)
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Enzo Maresca could opt to rest a number of first-team starters when Manchester City play host to AEK Athens on Tuesday evening in the Champions League. The Blues are slap bang in the middle of one of the most challenging periods of the season, with an influx of games to play thanks to their participation in the Premier League, domestic cups and European football.
For context, City's upcoming clash under the bright lights of Europe's most prestigious club competition lands as the third game in the space of a week, having met with Paris Saint-Germain last Wednesday and doing battle with Ipswich Town in the English top flight on Saturday.
And there are no signs of a hectic calendar slowing for City in the foreseeable future. Maresca's men will be pitted against Aston Villa on Saturday in the English top flight, before facing Brighton and Hove Albion in the Carabao Cup next Wednesday.
Another encounter with the Seagulls then ensues three days later when the two clubs go to war in the league. A jam-packed schedule leaves very little respite for City's first-team players, especially without apt rotation.
And a knee injury sustained by Antoine Semenyo at the weekend, which is expected to keep him sidelined for the next eight weeks, will also put further strain on City - given he lands as one less player available to share the workload with teammates. Speaking about the winger's issue ahead of Tuesday's clash with AEK, Maresca explained: "In the first moment we expected an even worse injury, so we were more worried.
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"After yesterday’s scan we feel much better because it’s not so big like we expected. It could be eight weeks.
"Now in this moment the most important thing for him is his recovery. When he is back around December it will be like a new player in terms of energy."
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Maresca will also be eager to prevent further player injuries or burnout from occurring going forward, given just how important it is for the club to challenge for every competition they are a part of as one of world football's powerhouses. Thankfully, Tuesday's match-up with AEK could provide the Italian with a golden opportunity to ensure his players stay fresh.
A golden opportunity
It's no secret that Erling Haaland is due a much-needed rest. The Norwegian has been full steam ahead practically since the dawn of 2025/26, considering how much Pep Guardiola leaned on him last term. Meanwhile, Haaland's nation also relied on him to lead the line throughout the World Cup, meaning the 26-year-old has had very little rest over the past 12 months.
This season alone, Haaland has also featured in all seven of City's Premier League matches - scoring eight goals for his efforts - as well as providing a further four goals in two Champions League games. The Leeds-born marksman also joined up with Norway for the late September international break to compete in all of their Nations League fixtures.
As a result, Haaland could do with a rest, with Maresca potentially able to sideline his No. 9 for Tuesday's clash with AEK, given that many will argue the skill gap between the two teams would justify a couple of key players missing the encounter.
That's especially true considering Maresca will be keen to have Haaland firing on all cylinders for Saturday's trip to Villa Park, as City look to retain their top spot in the Premier League standings against Unai Emery's impressive outfit.
Enzo Maresca gestures
Enzo Maresca may look to rest key players(Image: Martin Rickett/the Press Association)
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In actuality, Maresca could also opt to rest a number of his other regular starters against AEK on Tuesday to restore player freshness for this weekend's top-flight encounter - with Matheus Nunes, Mateo Kovacic and Nico O'Reilly also spotted hobbling off the pitch against Ipswich.
While Maresca has confirmed that all of those players should be available for selection for the upcoming fixture, he may instead opt to deploy others in their place to ensure that they are fresh for Saturday's match on the road.
However, Maresca will also be mindful that City's UCL campaign took a major knock against defending champions, PSG, last week. Les Bleus ran out 4-2 winners over the hosts at the Etihad Stadium, resulting in City dropping to 17th in the European standings.
An instant response will be required against AEK to raise spirits, especially with City firmly fixated on challenging for the UCL title come May. It means that Maresca may have to balance trusted first-team talents with squad players on Tuesday to ensure success without overworking those in the greatest need of rest.