Enzo Maresca openly admitted that Manchester City’s 2-0 triumph over Porto in the Champions League on Tuesday was not as smooth as it could have been. The uneven display prompted former England striker Alan Shearer, who was providing co‑commentary on Prime Video, to describe the side as "weak". City eventually secured their lead late in the match, but they never truly looked in danger of losing it. Statistically, Porto were reduced to a handful of half‑chances and failed to register a single shot on target.
For a team that had gone unbeaten at the Estádio do Dragão throughout the entire 2026 season, the lack of clear‑cut opportunities was striking. The reason for Porto’s impotence lay in City’s exceptionally well‑balanced midfield, which dictated the tempo and limited the Portuguese side’s chances.
It is tempting to compare Maresca’s current setup with the classic Pep Guardiola‑era sides that revolved around Rodri, where every pass seemed pre‑programmed and the flow of the game was almost mechanical. Those teams were praised for their immaculate organization, but that era appears to be fading. There is no urgency for Maresca to rush his tactical overhaul.
"Slowly, slowly," he reminded viewers on Tuesday, aware that many fans expected Guardiola’s departure to tip the scales of power in Manchester. The reality may prove less dramatic than anticipated. Beyond the headline result, the win in Portugal offers several reasons to believe City are progressing. Securing an away victory in the Champions League, especially while keeping a clean sheet, is never a trivial achievement.
One of the most noteworthy individual performances came from teenage midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi. While Erling Haaland’s two‑goal brace will always dominate headlines, Bouaddi’s contribution was arguably the bigger story. Haaland himself praised the youngster after the match, telling chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak that City had uncovered a "gem" in Bouaddi, noting his impressive display in training and his calm confidence despite still being a teenager.
The £86 million summer acquisition from Lille has shown a poise that is rare for a player of his age. He is not flashy or arrogant; instead, he exudes a measured composure reminiscent of Rodri’s style.
Maresca highlighted this on Prime Video, saying Bouaddi never appeared panicked and described his performance as "unbelievable". Bouaddi’s technical confidence is evident in his dribbling, his quick feints, and his ability to change direction while retaining possession. He controls the tempo of his passes and has already earned the trust of teammates, who handed him the ball under pressure without hesitation.
Rayan Cherki, for instance, used Bouaddi as a reliable outlet throughout the night. Statistically, Bouaddi’s passing accuracy against Porto was a remarkable 98%, surpassing Rodri’s 96% in a later 5‑1 victory for Barcelona over Feyenoord. While the sample size is tiny and direct comparisons are premature, the numbers suggest that the young French‑Algerian can emulate the precision of his predecessor. Labeling him "Baby Rodri" would be unfair and potentially damaging—a tag that once stifled Nico González at the club.
Instead, the broader midfield overhaul indicates that City can compensate for the loss of a player many believed was irreplaceable. Rodri remains a unique talent, but his recent injury history, including an ACL tear in 2024, has limited his ability to feature every three days. With Bouaddi now in the mix, alongside Elliot Anderson and Enzo Fernández, Maresca possesses a trio capable of sharing the load. Anderson, who came off the bench against Porto, posted possession statistics that rival Rodri’s, a reflection of his standout season with Nottingham Forest where he outperformed the veteran across most metrics.
He now acts as the anchor that holds Maresca’s midfield plan together. Adding Fernández to the equation brings a blend of skill and tenacity.
Though not a metronome in the traditional sense, the three players together can operate fluidly, covering each other’s roles when needed. This versatility is exactly what the £326 million investment was meant to deliver. Anderson’s experience in the Premier League makes him a safer option than the 18‑year‑old Bouaddi, yet the youngster will benefit enormously from training alongside him. The trio’s profiles complement each other: Bouaddi naturally occupies a No 6 position, while Anderson and Fernández are more suited to a No 8 role, but all three possess the mobility to shift between duties.
Fernández even has the capacity to play as a No 10, adding a goal‑threat that has been missing since Ilkay Gündoğan’s departure under Pep. Overall, this midfield revamp is built on promising foundations. The way each player has adapted to Maresca’s positionally flexible system is a factor that money alone cannot buy. While a massive transfer outlay guarantees talent, it does not guarantee instant cohesion; however, City appear to be forging those connections faster than expected.
The next major test will be the derby at Old Trafford against Manchester United, broadcast live on Sky Sports. Both sides will rely on their newly‑crafted midfield units to dominate a rivalry that often turns into a heated battle. Maresca is likely to revert to Anderson in a holding role, with Fernández positioned just ahead, while Bouaddi may still earn minutes off the bench.
It is early days for the teenage prospect, but his potential to develop into a complete midfield option is evident. In time, he could provide every quality a modern midfield demands. Perhaps Manchester City will discover that they do not need Rodri to remain at the summit of European football.