Manchester City forward Antoine Semenyo has applauded Enzo Maresca’s attacking football, saying the new manager’s approach is perfectly suited to his strengths as the Premier League champions begin a new era.
The Ghana international expressed his excitement after featuring in City’s opening pre-season match under Maresca, where the English side lost on penalties to Inter Milan in Hong Kong but showed glimpses of the Italian coach’s tactical ideas.
Semenyo believes Maresca’s preference for aggressive, attack-minded wingers will allow him to make a bigger impact in the final third as City prepare for the upcoming campaign.
Maresca’s system excites Semenyo
The 26-year-old started the first half against Inter Milan and impressed with his direct running, troubling full-back Andy Diouf while also helping to create Divine Mukasa’s goal.
Speaking after the game, Semenyo revealed he was immediately encouraged by Maresca’s appointment because of the freedom the manager gives his wide players.
When he got appointed, that was the first thing I thought about because when you’ve played Chelsea previously when he was there, his wide men were always high and quite free,” Semenyo said.
“So that was one of the things that excited me the most when he got appointed and it’s exciting for me as a winger. I get to have one-v-one situations most of the game and I am looking forward to it.”
Early tactical plans taking shape
Semenyo also disclosed that Maresca has already held individual meetings with players to explain his tactical expectations ahead of the new season.
According to the winger, the Italian’s philosophy shares similarities with Pep Guardiola’s style but includes clear instructions for wide attackers to stay high, isolate defenders and create scoring opportunities.
“I have had individual meetings with him on how he wants to set up, how he wants to play his wide men and just overall as a team,” he added.
“I think his ideas are great, quite similar to Pep, but if you watched the game, you would have seen a couple of his ideas play out and it was good. Enzo is just [telling us to] stay out wide and when you get the ball, just create opportunities. So it is music to my ears.”