Rico Lewis has spoken candidly about the toll of limited playing time at Manchester City, just hours after producing one of his finest performances in a sky-blue shirt during Tuesday’s 5-1 demolition of AEK Athens in the Champions League league phase.
The 21-year-old was handed a rare start by head coach Enzo Maresca and repaid that trust in emphatic fashion, setting up two of City’s five goals as Phil Foden ran riot with a hat-trick at the Etihad Stadium.
It was the kind of display that will have reminded supporters, and perhaps Maresca himself, of the versatile qualities that once made Lewis a regular under Pep Guardiola.
Speaking after the match, Lewis admitted that the lack of regular football this season had weighed on him mentally, and that he had been guilty of overthinking his opportunities when they came.
“I’ve not had much time on the pitch and when you get thrown in, you kind of get all worked up on, ‘I need to do well, I need to do this, I need to do that!’ But I thought today, ‘Just play your game and everything will come after’. Massive for my confidence, and just looking forward to more games!”
It was a refreshingly honest admission from a player who, not long ago, was considered one of the brightest academy graduates in English football.
Lewis broke into Manchester City‘s first team as a teenager and quickly earned a reputation as one of the most tactically intelligent young defenders in the Premier League, capable of operating across multiple positions.
This season, however, regular minutes have been harder to come by, and Tuesday’s performance felt like a timely reminder of what he can offer.
Settling into life under a new manager
Lewis also reflected on his evolving relationship with Maresca, who took over at City in the summer following Guardiola’s decade-long reign at the club. The Italian’s methods, Lewis explained, have brought a clarity to the squad that has made the transition smoother than many anticipated.
“Everything’s clear, everyone knows the idea. When everyone knows the idea and everyone’s onboard, that makes everything 10 times easier!
“Even if we do make mistakes, we’re all going the same direction, we all know we’re trying to do the right things. I think him coming back to a familiar building has helped him as well. But everything’s going smooth right now!”
Maresca is no stranger to the Etihad. The 46-year-old spent time on City’s coaching staff before moving into management, giving him a working knowledge of the club’s structures and personnel that Lewis believes has eased his integration.
Since arriving in the summer, Maresca has overseen a strong start domestically and in Europe, with Tuesday’s win over AEK Athens continuing City’s positive momentum in the Champions League league phase.
Foden leads the way as City cruise
While Lewis’s creative contribution caught the eye, it was Foden who stole the headlines with a clinical hat-trick that underlined his growing importance to Maresca’s attacking plans.
The England international has looked increasingly sharp in recent weeks, and his understanding with Lewis down City’s left flank was a recurring theme throughout the victory.
The 5-1 scoreline flattered a City side that controlled proceedings for long periods, with Maresca’s tactical setup allowing Lewis the freedom to push forward and combine with Foden in the final third.
For a player who has spent much of the campaign on the periphery, it was the kind of performance that could prove difficult to leave out of the side in the weeks ahead.
With City’s fixture list showing no signs of easing up, Lewis will be hoping Tuesday’s display marks a turning point rather than a one-off.
