By Enzo Maresca's own admission, Manchester City "complicated" their 2-0 victory over Porto in the Champions League on Tuesday. The unevenness of their display prompted Alan Shearer, speaking on Prime Video’s co‑commentary, to label Maresca's side "weak". City eventually sealed the win late in the match, but they never truly looked in danger of losing the lead.
Statistically, Porto were reduced to mere scraps; a side that had never been beaten at the Estádio do Dragão in the entire 2026 calendar year managed no clear‑cut chances and failed to register a single shot on target. The reason for that defensive solidity lay in Manchester City’s exceptionally balanced midfield, which dictated the tempo and denied the Portuguese side any foothold. It would be tempting to compare what Maresca’s squad is producing now with the fluid, Rodri‑centric performances of the Guardiola era, when every pass seemed pre‑ordained and the rhythm of the game revolved around the Spanish defensive midfielder. That brand of flawless, almost mechanical football has faded, and the club appears to be embracing a new, more adaptable approach.
There is no hurry for Maresca to impose a rigid system. "Slowly, slowly," he reminded viewers on Tuesday, fully aware that many expected Pep Guardiola’s departure to tip the balance of power in Manchester.
Those expectations may well prove premature. Beyond the headline scoreline, the win in Portugal offers several encouraging signs that City are progressing.
Securing an away victory in Europe, and doing so without conceding, is never a trivial achievement. Perhaps the most noteworthy individual story from the night was the performance of teenage Frenchman Ayyoub Bouaddi. While Erling Haaland’s brace naturally attracted the usual post‑match praise, Bouaddi’s contribution was equally deserving of attention.
Haaland himself even highlighted Bouaddi’s impact, telling chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak that the youngster was a "gem" who had delivered an outstanding game and had been impressive in training. The £86 million summer acquisition from Lille exudes a confidence that is rare for a player still in his teenage years. It is not swagger or showmanship, but a calm, measured composure that belies his age.
In his first start for City, Bouaddi displayed a maturity reminiscent of Rodri, moving the ball with precision and never appearing flustered. "He never panicked," Maresca remarked on Prime Video. "His performance was unbelievable." Bouaddi’s self‑belief is evident in his technical execution.
He employed subtle shimmies and clever feints to change direction while in possession, showing a controlled tempo in his passing. His teammates quickly trusted him with the ball under pressure; Rayan Cherki, for instance, used him as a reliable outlet throughout the match. One of the most striking statistics was his passing accuracy. Rodri, when he was still pulling the strings for Barcelona in a 5‑1 win over Feyenoord, boasted a 96 % success rate.
Against Porto, Bouaddi recorded an even higher 98 % accuracy. While the sample size is tiny, the comparison highlights the youngster’s potential to fill a role that many thought irreplaceable. Labeling him "Baby Rodri" could be harmful – a nickname that once seemed to weigh down Nico González during his brief spell at the club. Instead, City’s new midfield configuration suggests that the loss of a single player can be mitigated by a collective of talented individuals.
Rodri remains a unique talent. After suffering an ACL injury in 2024, his ability to feature in three‑day‑a‑week rotations diminished, though his quality never waned. With Bouaddi, Elliot Anderson and Enzo Fernández now in the mix, Maresca possesses a trio capable of sharing the workload.
Anderson, who came off the bench against Porto, posted possession numbers that rivaled Rodri’s, a fact that is hardly surprising given his standout performances for Nottingham Forest last season, where he outperformed the veteran across most metrics. He now acts as the hinge that holds Maresca’s midfield plan together. Adding Enzo Fernández provides an extra layer of tenacity and creativity.
While not a metronomic engine, the three of them can operate effectively in unison, each bringing a different profile to the centre of the park. The combined transfer spend of roughly £326 million has delivered a blend of experience, youth, and versatility that is difficult to quantify. Anderson’s Premier League experience makes him a slightly safer option than the 18‑year‑old Bouaddi, yet the youngster will undoubtedly benefit from training and playing alongside the more seasoned midfielder.
The three players are not locked into rigid positions: Bouaddi naturally fits the No 6 (holding) role, while Anderson and Fernández are more akin to No 8s, yet all possess the mobility to cover each other's responsibilities. Fernández can even drift into a No 10 position, adding a goal‑threat that has been missing from City’s midfield since the departure of Ilkay Gündogan. Overall, this midfield revamp is built on promising foundations. The way each player has adapted to Maresca’s fluid, position‑switching system is a testament to their football intelligence – a quality that money alone cannot buy.
While the hefty investment guarantees individual talent, it does not automatically ensure instant cohesion; however, the early signs suggest the connections are forming faster than expected. The next major test arrives at Old Trafford this weekend, where City will face Manchester United on Sky Sports. Both sides will rely heavily on their newly restructured midfields to dominate the midfield battle in a rivalry that often turns heated. Maresca is likely to deploy Anderson in the deeper holding role, with Fernández positioned just ahead, while Bouaddi could either start or make an impact off the bench.
It is still early days for the teenage prodigy, but his trajectory points toward becoming a cornerstone of City’s midfield, offering a full suite of qualities that could eventually make him a complete midfield package. In summary, Manchester City may have discovered that they do not need a single, irreplaceable Rodri after all; a well‑balanced, adaptable midfield trio can provide the stability and creativity required to compete at the highest level. Watch Manchester United vs Manchester City live on Sky Sports Main Event on Sunday; kick‑off 4.30 pm. Play Super 6 for a chance to win £1 million – enter for free.