Enzo Maresca openly admitted that his Manchester City side "complicated" the 2-0 victory over Porto in Tuesday’s Champions League fixture. The uneven rhythm of the performance prompted former England striker Alan Shearer, who was providing co‑commentary on Prime Video, to describe the team as "weak".
City eventually secured the win, but they only cemented their lead late in the game. Even so, they never appeared in real danger of losing the advantage.
From a statistical standpoint, Porto were reduced to a handful of half‑chances and failed to register a single shot on target. For a club that had not been beaten at the Estádio do Dragão at any point during the 2026 season, the Portuguese side struggled to create any clear‑cut opportunities. The reason for that defensive solidity lay in City’s exceptionally balanced midfield, which dictated the tempo and limited Porto’s chances. It is tempting to measure Maresca’s current display against the glittering performances of previous years when Pep Guardiola’s system revolved around Rodri as the anchor.
Back then the game seemed choreographed: every pass fell into place, the ball moved with surgical precision and criticism was hard to find. Those days, however, appear to be behind us. There is no urgency for Maresca to rush his philosophy into place. "Slowly, slowly," he told viewers on Tuesday, fully aware that many fans expected Guardiola’s departure to tilt the power balance in Manchester.
The reality may prove less dramatic than the speculation suggests. Beyond the headline scoreline, the win in Portugal offers several reasons to believe City are progressing. An away clean‑sheet in Europe is always a positive sign, especially when the opposition is a seasoned side like Porto.
One of the most noteworthy takeaways was the debut of teenage midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi. While Erling Haaland’s two‑goal brace naturally attracted the headlines, Bouaddi’s performance was perhaps the most valuable piece of the puzzle. Haaland himself praised the youngster after the match, telling chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak that City had uncovered a "gem" in Bouaddi, noting his excellent display in training and his composure on the pitch. The £86 million summer acquisition from Lille has already shown a maturity beyond his years.
He is not arrogant or flamboyant; instead, he exudes a calm confidence that is rare for a player still in his teens. In his first start for the Citizens, he displayed many of the attributes that made Rodri so effective: composure under pressure, intelligent positioning and a passing range that rarely missed its target. "He never panicked," Maresca remarked on Prime Video, adding that Bouaddi’s performance was "unbelievable".
The youngster’s confidence in his own technique was evident in the way he used subtle body feints and quick shimmies to evade opponents while retaining possession. His passing tempo was measured, and his teammates seemed comfortable handing him the ball even in tight spaces. Rayan Cherki, for example, consistently used Bouaddi as a pivot throughout the match. Statistically, Bouaddi’s passing accuracy against Porto stood at an astonishing 98%, edging out Rodri’s 96% accuracy in Barcelona’s 5‑1 triumph over Feyenoord just a day later.
While the sample size is tiny, the comparison highlights that the new midfield can produce numbers that rival the former stalwart. Labeling Bouaddi as "Baby Rodri" could be counter‑productive. When Nico González was given a similar nickname at City, the pressure seemed to weigh heavily on him.
It is better to view Bouaddi as part of a broader midfield overhaul that can compensate for the loss of a player many believed to be irreplaceable. Rodri remains a unique talent, especially after his ACL injury in 2024 limited his ability to feature in three‑day‑a‑week rotations. Yet with Bouaddi, Elliot Anderson and Enzo Fernández, Maresca now possesses a trio of midfielders capable of sharing the workload.
Anderson, who came off the bench against Porto, posted possession statistics that rival Rodri’s. This is no surprise, as he outperformed the Spaniard across most metrics while playing for Nottingham Forest last season. His calmness on the ball and defensive awareness make him a reliable option in the holding role. Enzo Fernández adds a blend of grit and creativity.
Though primarily a number‑8, his versatility allows him to drift into a more advanced number‑10 position, offering a goal threat that City have missed since the departure of Ilkay Gündoğan. Together, the three players provide a flexible midfield unit that can shift between defensive solidity and attacking impetus.
Financially, the £326 million spent on this overhaul reflects City’s willingness to invest in top‑class talent. Anderson brings Premier League experience, Bouaddi offers youthful exuberance and technical flair, and Fernández contributes tenacity and an eye for goal. The variety of profiles gives Maresca a toolbox to adapt his system to different opponents. All three are mobile enough to interchange between the traditional No 6 and No 8 roles.
Bouaddi is naturally a deep‑lying playmaker, while Anderson and Fernández are more box‑to‑box types. Their ability to cover multiple positions means City can maintain a fluid shape without sacrificing balance. The real test of this new midfield will arrive at Old Trafford, where City face Manchester United in a heated derby broadcast live on Sky Sports. Both sides will rely heavily on their revamped midfield cores to dominate the central areas and dictate the tempo.
Maresca is likely to start Anderson in the holding position, with Fernández positioned just ahead, while Bouaddi may either start or be introduced from the bench to inject fresh energy. Though it is still early days for the teenage prospect, his progress should excite the fan base, as he appears capable of developing into a well‑rounded midfielder with all the qualities required at the highest level. In summary, Manchester City’s recent signings suggest that the club may not be as dependent on Rodri as previously thought. The combination of experience, youth and versatility in the midfield provides a solid foundation for continued success in both domestic and European competitions.