Enzo Mareska, manager of Manchester City, expressed satisfaction following his side's 4-1 win over Crystal Palace. He admitted that the first few minutes were tough for the visitors, but after that, City took command of the game.
In an interview with BBC Sport, Mareska said:
Probably in the first five to ten minutes, we realised how difficult it is to play here. A challenging pitch and a strong opponent. After those first ten minutes, we managed the game well, both with and without the ball. I think we deserved the victory.
The manager added in a chat with Sky Sports:
We knew it would be hard here. The intensity of our play was good. We scored four, but we could have netted even more, while only conceding one.
Mareska explained his decision to shift Marc Guehi from midfield back to centre-back.
He noted:
We are always looking for solutions. Last week, Marc played in midfield; today we changed things a bit. My job is to find those solutions.
He particularly highlighted Ryan Cherki's impressive performance, who managed to score twice.
Mareska remarked:
His off-the-ball work was incredible. Everyone knows about his skill, but today he put in a real shift without the ball. He marked Wharton and essentially took him out of the game. Ryan was excellent.
The manager later added:
He is already helping us and will continue to do so. We know what a quality player he is. Today, he worked hard without the ball and contributed a great deal.
When it came to Erling Haaland, who also bagged a brace, Mareska stated:
We know Erling well. We understand that when we create opportunities, that’s exactly what he thrives on. So, we make an effort to provide him with as many chances as possible.
The manager also discussed Phil Foden’s role, who spent part of the match out on the wing.
Mareska explained:
He is adapting. We know Phil isn’t a winger, so we try to find solutions. When he moved closer to the centre, it was clear he felt more comfortable.
In the last 10-15 minutes, you could see how much he enjoys playing centrally behind Erling. That’s his position. He’s working hard to help the team even when stationed wide. His attitude to work is excellent.
Mareska also stressed the importance of a successful start following the managerial change:
It’s crucial to start well with a new manager. These are significant changes. At the end of the match, it was clear how happy the fans were. We are pleased with the three points, but there are always areas for improvement.
