Enzo Maresca celebrated his inaugural victory as the manager of Manchester City with a convincing 3-1 triumph over the K-League All Stars on the streets of Seoul. The match unfolded at a frantic pace, delivering all four goals within the first 23 minutes, a stark contrast to City’s recent penalty shoot‑out defeat to Inter Milan. In this early onslaught, Rayan Ait‑Nouri, Tijjani Reijnders and young prospect Divin Mubama found the net for the English side, which rotated a total of 22 players throughout the encounter.
Sky Sports took the opportunity to dissect Maresca’s debut performance, noting that the coach has repeatedly emphasized his desire not to be a mere "copy‑and‑paste" successor to Pep Guardiola. The tactical set‑up employed in Seoul was a clear departure from the familiar City blueprint, showcasing a more fluid and adaptable approach.
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 possessed the ball, bolstering the midfield partnership of Mateo Kovacic and Reijnders.
This inward movement effectively transformed the defensive line into a three‑man unit comprising Josko Gvardiol, Abdukodir Khusanov and veteran centre‑back Ruben Dias whenever City were in control. The shift allowed the full‑backs to contribute higher up the pitch while preserving defensive solidity. On the flanks, Ait‑Nouri and Antoine Semenyo operated as high‑positioned wingers, stretching the opposition and creating space for central players. Their advanced positioning paid immediate dividends when Ait‑Nouri, cutting in from the left, unleashed a clinical finish in the ninth minute to give City the early lead.
The goal was a product of a well‑timed run and a precise strike that left the K‑League goalkeeper with little chance. Further down the line, Phil Foden was given a liberated role as a number 10, roaming behind striker Sam Muamba. Foden’s freedom allowed him to link play between midfield and attack, while Muamba continued his pre‑season form by scoring in consecutive games, reinforcing his status as a reliable target man. The match also sparked transfer speculation.
Reports on Tuesday suggested Nottingham Forest were eyeing a £55 million move for Reijnders. However, after his dynamic display in South Korea—characterised by powerful drives from deep, technical ball‑handling and an eye‑for‑goal—City are likely to retain the Dutch midfielder.
His contribution included a clever low‑driven finish that restored City’s lead after Semenyo’s inventive back‑heel pass set up the move. Midfield competition will intensify next season with the arrival of Elliot Anderson for a reported £116 million. Anderson, who missed the Asian tour due to World Cup commitments with England, adds further depth, but performances like Reijnders’ could force the club to reconsider any plans to off‑load him during the summer window.
Although Semenyo did not add his name to the scoresheet, his influence was unmistakable. The Ghanaian international terrorised the K‑League defence with his pace, dribbling and vision.
He supplied a sublime assist for Reijnders’ goal and later played a pivotal role in Muamba’s rebound finish; after Semenyo cut inside and struck, his shot was parried, and the rebound fell perfectly to Muamba, who slotted home. Semenyo was substituted at halftime for Savinho, a change that did not replicate his impact. The Tottenham‑linked forward had impressed during the latter half of the previous season after joining City in January, and his performance in Seoul suggests he could reach new heights under Maresca’s guidance. The game’s rhythm mirrored City’s recent experiences against Inter Milan.
Only three minutes separated Ait‑Nouri’s opener from the K‑League All Stars’ equaliser—a quicker response than the interval it took Inter to level the score on Saturday after Muamba’s goal. This pattern of conceding shortly after scoring is a tactical nuance Maresca will undoubtedly scrutinise as he refines his side’s defensive transitions. A further point of déjà vu emerged when Dae‑Won Kim’s equaliser arrived via a cut‑in from the left, echoing the way Benjamin Pavard scored for Inter Milan after Federico Dimarco created space on City’s right flank.
The similarity highlighted a recurring vulnerability on City’s right‑hand side, an area that may require additional defensive reinforcement in upcoming fixtures. Goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, who kept a clean sheet until the late concession, was left disappointed by the goal that slipped past his near post. Apart from that moment, his involvement was limited, but the Italian shot‑stopper will have a busy Sunday ahead, as City face Atletico Madrid in another pre‑season test at the same venue, this time at 12 pm UK time. Overall, Maresca’s first outing offered a tantalising glimpse of a more versatile City, capable of morphing its shape according to possession phases and opponent threats.
The early goal barrage, the fluid movement of full‑backs, the high‑pressing wingers and the flexible midfield trio all point to a philosophy that blends creativity with defensive discipline. If the squad can maintain this balance, Manchester City could embark on a season that not only honors Guardiola’s legacy but also carves out a distinct identity under Maresca’s stewardship.