Enzo Maresma celebrated his inaugural victory as Manchester City manager with a convincing 3-1 triumph over the K-League All Stars on a Seoul pitch. The match was a fireworks display, as all four goals fell within the first 23 minutes, allowing City to recover swiftly from the disappointment of Saturday’s penalty shoot‑out defeat to Inter Milan. The scoring sheet read: Rayan Ait‑Nouri opened the account, Tijjani Reijnders added a second, and Divin Mubama capped the night with a third, while the opposition managed a solitary reply.
In total, City rotated a remarkable 22 players throughout the encounter, underscoring Maresma’s willingness to experiment ahead of the upcoming season. Sky Sports broke down the performance, noting that Maresma has repeatedly stressed he is not a "copy‑and‑paste" successor to Pep Guardiola. The tactical setup deployed in Seoul bore little resemblance to the Guardiola era, offering fresh patterns and positional nuances.
One of the most striking adjustments was the deployment of Rico Lewis at right‑back. Rather than staying wide, Lewis frequently tucked inside when City were in possession, bolstering the midfield duo of Mateo Kovačić and Reijnders. This movement effectively transformed the back line into a three‑man shield composed of Josko Gvardiol, Abdukodir Khusanov and veteran defender Ruben Dias whenever City held the ball, providing both defensive solidity and an additional outlet for ball progression.
On the flanks, Ait‑Nouri and Antoine Semenyo operated as high‑lying, wide attackers. Their advanced positioning paid immediate dividends: Ait‑Nouri, cutting in from the left, struck a ninth‑minute opener that set the tone for the match.
Semenyo, meanwhile, showcased his creativity with an inventive back‑heel pass that helped Reijnders double‑tap the ball into the net, and later supplied the assist for Muamba’s rebound finish after his own shot was parried. In the central attacking zone, Phil Foden enjoyed a liberated role just behind the striker, effectively acting as a No 10. This freedom allowed him to drift between lines, link play and create space for the midfield runners. The striker, Muamba, who has already found the net in consecutive pre‑season fixtures, added his own contribution by converting a rebound after a saved shot, further extending City’s lead.
The Dutch midfielder Reijnders impressed with his deep‑running drives and technical proficiency. His ability to surge forward from a deep‑lying position opened channels for the forwards and kept the opposition on the back foot. Despite rumors linking him to a £55 million move to Nottingham Forest, City’s performance in South Korea will likely make the club reconsider any summer departure, especially given his influence in both creating and finishing chances. Semenyo, though he did not score, was arguably the standout player on the pitch.
The Ghanaian international terrorised the All‑Stars’ defence with his pace, dribbling and intelligent movement. After his back‑heel assist for Reijnders, he cut inside, unleashed a shot that was saved, and the rebound was promptly tapped in by Muamba. His impact was such that his replacement, Savinho, could not replicate his dynamism after the half‑time substitution.
The match also offered a reminder of City’s defensive vulnerabilities. The K‑League All Stars equalised just three minutes after Ait‑Nouri’s opener—a quicker response than Inter Milan’s equaliser on Saturday, which arrived after a longer interval. The goal came from Dae‑Won Kim, who cut in from the left and finished at the near post, exposing a momentary lapse on City’s right side. This mirrored a similar pattern from the Inter game, where Benjamin Pavard’s goal was preceded by Federico Dimarco’s exploitation of space on the right.
Goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma had a relatively quiet evening, only required to make a single save – the one that led to the All‑Stars’ equaliser. Nonetheless, he will be aware that his next test in Seoul, scheduled for Sunday at 12 pm UK time against Atletico Madrid, will likely demand more involvement.
Looking ahead, the performance provides valuable insight into Maresma’s evolving philosophy. By encouraging full‑backs to invert, deploying a fluid three‑man defensive block in possession, and granting creative freedom to midfielders and forwards, he is crafting a distinct identity for the squad. The integration of young talents such as Reijnders, Mubama and the versatile use of veterans like Dias and Gvardiol suggests a balanced blend of experience and youth.
The summer transfer window will be closely watched. While the club has already secured the £116 million signing of Elliot Anderson, who missed the Asian tour due to World Cup duties with England, the depth in midfield means competition will be fierce. Reijnders’ continued strong displays could cement his place, while Semenyo’s rise hints at a possible breakthrough as a regular starter.
Overall, Maresma’s first match in charge was a vivid illustration of tactical flexibility, squad rotation and the emergence of new key players. The 3‑1 victory not only restores confidence after a recent setback but also sets a promising tone for the pre‑season and the challenges that lie ahead in the upcoming campaign.