Enzo Maresca, the new head coach at Manchester City, is implementing tactics that echo those of his predecessor, Pep Guardiola. A key element of Maresca's early approach appears to be a strategy for wingers that Guardiola himself outlined nearly a decade ago.
According to journalist Marti Perarnau, who chronicled Guardiola's methods in "The Pep Revolution," the Catalan manager emphasized the importance of keeping wingers wide and patient. Guardiola's philosophy, as described by Perarnau, aimed to create situations where a winger would only need to beat one defender. This was achieved through a specific team strategy designed to isolate the winger on the flank, allowing them space to attack. The alternative, drifting inside, would force them to contend with multiple defenders.
This strategy was observed during Manchester City's pre-season matches. Antoine Semenyo, in particular, was noted for his effectiveness when positioned wide on the flank. He frequently received the ball with ample space to run at opposing full-backs, often leading to opportunities where he could cut back the ball for a teammate to score. The tactic simplifies the game for other players, focusing on creating these repeatable attacking scenarios.
Maresca's tactical setup during pre-season featured a 3-2-2-3 shape in possession. This formation allowed for the "high and wide" positioning of wingers, a characteristic that aligns with Guardiola's established principles.
Defensively, the team adopted a zonal 4-2-4 shape during their rest defense phase in pre-season. This structure aims to maintain compactness and control when possession is lost.
The continuation of Guardiola's strategic thinking by Maresca suggests a deliberate effort to build upon the club's established tactical identity. This approach aims to simplify roles for players and create predictable, effective attacking patterns, as exemplified by the pre-season performance and the early tactical observations.