Maresca Prepares for Manchester Derby: No Excuses
Enzo Maresca has little time for complaints. Not with a Manchester derby looming and the calendar already creaking.
His Manchester City side walk into Sunday’s Premier League clash with two days’ extra rest in the bank after a controlled 2-0 win at Porto in the Champions League on Tuesday. Manchester United, by contrast, were still racking up goals 48 hours later, hammering Sabah 4-0 on Thursday under Michael Carrick.
On paper, it is an advantage. Maresca is not interested in the noise around it.
“You need to adapt”
Asked about the apparent imbalance, the City manager went straight to the point and straight to recent history.
"To be honest, the club mentioned to me that it happened exactly the same last year when the club played Napoli and then, after two days, played Arsenal," he told BBC Sport.
Back then, Arsenal had kicked off early away at Athletic Club on the Tuesday. City were stuck with the late Thursday slot against Napoli before heading to Emirates Stadium. Pep Guardiola, in typically dry fashion, had joked he was taking his players “hiking in the mountains” to get them ready.
The schedule bit City then. This time it bites United.
"Sometimes it happens in football. I don't have any doubt that Man United are going to be ready for that. It just matters to adapt," Maresca said.
The message is consistent: no excuses, no sympathy, just deal with it.
A new Champions League, a heavier load
This season’s expanded Champions League has only cranked up the strain. Clubs now face two extra group-stage fixtures before the end of January. English sides then stack domestic cups on top of that, including the Carabao Cup.
City host Norwich in the third round next Thursday. United are in action even earlier, taking on Brighton at Old Trafford on Wednesday.
"I think that happens and you need to adapt," Maresca said when pressed on whether the calendar evens itself out over a season. "It happened last year with us, this season with them, next season it will happen with a different team."
The pattern is clear. The names change, the problem doesn’t.
Quizzed on how Carrick might feel about the short turnaround, Maresca refused to speak for his opposite number.
"That's a question for Michael. The only thing I can say is it happened and you need to adapt."
Maresca’s first Manchester derby
Beyond the fixture list, this weekend carries a different kind of weight for the Italian. It is his first taste of a Manchester derby as City manager, and he arrives with momentum.
City have started the league campaign perfectly, three wins from three, the machine already humming. United, by contrast, have stumbled out of the blocks, taking just four points from their opening three matches.
"It is very important for different reasons," Maresca said. "We know how important a derby is, especially here. It is a special game."
He will not dress it up as just another fixture. But he will not let the occasion drag his team away from their identity either.
"The most important thing we can do is try to be ourselves and then we see the final result."
The schedule may twist, the competitions may expand, and the derby may turn on a single moment. Maresca’s stance does not move: adapt, stay true to your football, and live with whatever comes next.
