Manchester City survived a nerve-shredding five-goal contest against RB Leipzig on Wednesday night. Erling Haaland’s late winner secured a 3-2 victory that papered over cracks at the back that head coach Enzo Maresca admits still need work.
The Blues led three times in Leipzig but were repeatedly pegged back. Uncertain goalkeeping from Gianluigi Donnarumma and brief lapses of concentration allowing the Bundesliga side back into a match City should, on the balance of chances created, have won far more comfortably.
It was a result that did little to settle growing concerns over the solidity of a defence still finding its feet under its new manager.
Self-inflicted problems, says Maresca
Speaking after the final whistle, Maresca did not shy away from the defensive frailties that have crept into his side’s performances, though he was quick to frame the result in a positive light given City’s recent dip in domestic form.
“Happy with the win, that is important, especially after defeat. I think part of the game we controlled quite well, creating many chances. But for some moments, we struggled a little but again, it’s normal!
“It’s a Champions League game, Germany away is always difficult. So, happy with the win,” Maresca told TNT Sports, as quoted by City Xtra.
He was equally candid in his assessment of where things went wrong, pinpointing the type of individual errors that have become a recurring theme since his arrival at the Etihad.
“We probably conceded two silly goals, that we need to avoid. But slowly, slowly we’re going to be better, also defensively,” Maresca later added to Mancity.com
City’s attacking play told a different story. Maresca’s side carved out a string of clear-cut opportunities against their German hosts, further evidence that the possession-based principles the former Leicester and Chelsea coach is attempting to embed are beginning to take root further forward.
It is at the other end of the pitch where questions persist, with a backline still searching for consistent partnerships after a summer of change.
Four months in, Maresca still working on the solution
Maresca was keen to stress that the process of building understanding between his defenders and goalkeeper cannot be rushed, pointing instead to the training ground as the key to eradicating the kind of errors that nearly cost his side in Leipzig.
“Working [is the solution]! Working more, understanding, analysing, reviewing.” Maresca said.
“I’m new here, I need to know the players, they need to know me. It’s four months we have been together, so that’s why I’m so happy, so confident because we can only improve with this short period!”
It is a message that will require repeated reinforcement in the coming weeks. City return to Premier League action on Saturday evening with a trip to Nottingham Forest’s City Ground, a fixture that arrives at an awkward moment domestically.
Maresca’s side have lost their last two league outings, away to Aston Villa and at home to Brighton & Hove Albion, a slide that has cost them top spot in the table and sharpened scrutiny on a defence yet to find its rhythm.
