Enzo Maresca Praises Resilience and Options After European Match

Enzo Maresca walked away from a testing European night convinced his side had shown exactly what he wanted to see: resilience, control and a squad brimming with options.

The Italian was clear about one thing – the scoreline could have been heavier.

"I think we could've scored more goals, especially in the first half," he told Amazon Prime, still replaying the missed chances in his mind. "But overall I think we deserved to win the game."

His team carved out openings with regularity and kept things largely tight at the other end, even in a hostile away environment.

"We created enough chances to win the game. We didn't concede a lot," he said. "It's normal to come here and concede some chances because it's normal, so overall happy with the performance."

The satisfaction ran deeper than just the result. Maresca sounded like a coach who trusts every corner of his dressing room.

"I think I am lucky because all the squad is good players," he added. "For a manager it is easy because you can give minutes to all of them, and tonight I think the guys that were inside were very good."

Bouaddi steps into the spotlight

On a night full of experienced European campaigners, it was Ayyoub Bouaddi who stole a chunk of the spotlight.

Thrown into a high-stakes away tie, the teenager played with a calm that belied his age, knitting play together and refusing to be rattled. Maresca did not hide his admiration.

"The good thing is that from Erling [Haaland], Ruben [Dias], Mateo [Kovacic] you expect how to manage this game," he said. "But he was never in panic, Ayyoub Bouaddi. He was very good and I think the performance was unbelievable."

Operating alongside Enzo Fernandez, Bouaddi slotted in as if he had been there for years. His composure had already turned heads in training; this was the public confirmation.

Erling Haaland, who has seen enough talent to recognise the real thing, has been tracking the youngster’s progress closely.

"I think he played a very good game," the striker said. "Last couple of weeks in training, I told the chairman that he has been amazing, so I think we have a gem here."

Then came the sting in the tail, delivered with a smile. Haaland had one complaint.

"But to be honest, I think he should of played me through in the second half when I was all alone," he admitted. "I was a bit angry, so I will tell him right now, he played a good game, except that pass."

One missed through ball. One glowing review from a world-class forward. And one manager calling the performance “unbelievable”.

For a teenager on a European away night, that is quite a platform to build from.