Manchester City’s season under new head coach Enzo Maresca began with a defeat, as Arsenal beat them in the Community Shield. The Italian says it was the manner of the goals his side conceded – rather than the result itself – that will occupy his thinking most before the Premier League campaign gets under way.

City fell behind inside the opening half-minute of the showpiece fixture at Wembley, a sluggish start that set the tone for a difficult afternoon against an Arsenal side who made the most of their opportunities.

A second goal soon followed, and although City responded impressively after going 1-0 down, Maresca felt his team never fully recovered their footing once they conceded again.

“I don’t like it” – Maresca dissects defensive errors

Speaking after the match, Maresca did not hide his frustration with how both goals came about, even as he tried to keep the bigger picture in view.

“The two first goals we conceded I didn’t like; the first because it’s after 25 seconds, and the second I think there was no pressure on the ball.

“I don’t know if it’s due to physical condition. For sure, the first two goals we conceded, I don’t like,” he said according to City Xtra

The head coach’s comments suggest a concern that goes beyond a single afternoon’s individual errors.

Conceding within seconds of kick-off is rarely simply a case of bad luck, and Maresca’s suggestion that fitness levels may have played a part in the second goal will raise questions about how far into their pre-season programme his players are.

Still only a few weeks into the job, Maresca is in the process of implementing his own ideas at the Etihad.

A match like this, even in a fixture with no league points at stake, offer an early window into where the work still needs to be done.

Positives in the response, but second setback “complicated” things

For all his irritation at the goals conceded, Maresca was keen to highlight what he did like about his side’s performance, particularly the way they responded to going behind.

“And then, in terms of things I liked, after the first goal the reaction was very good. At this level, the way we reacted was so good. But again, after the second goal it was all complicated.”

Arsenal, well-drilled and clinical, were able to make the most of City’s early season uncertainty, denying Maresca the perfect start to life in England’s top flight as a head coach.

Despite the defeat, Maresca was careful not to let the result colour his overall message.

His tone throughout was measured, that of a coach conscious of the size of the task ahead of him rather than one panicking after a single afternoon.

“In general I’m always concerned, even when we win. This is just the beginning and we have many things we need to do better, but I think it was a good reaction after the first we conceded. Now try to reset, analyse, and think from Tuesday about the next game vs Bournemouth.”

With Bournemouth up next, focus will quickly shift to preparations for a league campaign that represents the true start of the Maresca era, and the first real opportunity for his side to show they have taken his early lessons on board.