Maresca happy with first Man City game despite Inter shootout defeat

Enzo Maresca declared himself "very happy" following his debut match as Manchester City manager, even after the team lost to Inter Milan on penalties in a pre-season friendly in Hong Kong. The match ended 1-1 before Inter secured a 3-1 shootout victory.

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I’m very happy with the performance. Many positive things, including minutes for the legs, that’s very important.

Maresca, who succeeded Pep Guardiola in June, saw positives in the team's performance, including valuable playing time for the squad. "Many positive things, including minutes for the legs, that’s very important," he told reporters. He acknowledged that improvements are needed, stating, "Like always, there are things we can do better, but slowly, slowly, we’re going to improve."

The former Chelsea and Leicester boss specifically addressed the team's pressing tactics. "We were pressing in the wrong way, we conceded some switches of play… because we were late in the pressing," Maresca explained. "At half-time we adjusted something, and I think, second half, in terms of pressing, we were much, much better."

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Like always, there are things we can do better, but slowly, slowly, we’re going to improve.

The friendly, played in front of nearly 43,000 spectators at Kai Tak Stadium, also highlighted the absence of several key World Cup stars, including Erling Haaland and Rodri. Maresca confirmed these players would not join the squad for subsequent matches in Seoul. Manchester City's pre-season tour continues before they face Arsenal in the Community Shield on August 16 and begin their Premier League campaign against Bournemouth.

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We were pressing in the wrong way, we conceded some switches of play… because we were late in the pressing. At half-time we adjusted something, and I think, second half, in terms of pressing, we were much, much better.