Enzo Maresca openly admitted that his side "complicated" the 2-0 victory over Porto in Tuesday's Champions League encounter. The patchy rhythm of the performance prompted former England striker Alan Shearer, who was commentating on Prime Video, to label the team "weak". City eventually saw out the win, only sealing their advantage late in the game, yet they never appeared in real danger of losing the lead. Statistically, Porto were reduced to occasional scraps, with the Portuguese outfit failing to register a single shot on target throughout the match.
For a club that had not been defeated at the Estádio do Dragão at any point in the 2026 calendar year, the lack of clear-cut opportunities was striking. The secret weapon behind that defensive solidity was Manchester City’s exceptionally balanced midfield, which kept the opposition at bay and limited their attacking chances.
It is tempting to compare the current display under Maresca with the fluid, Rodri-centred performances that characterised Pep Guardiola's tenure. Under Guardiola, every pass seemed pre‑planned, the ball moved with surgical precision, and the midfield engine ran like a well‑oiled machine. Those days, however, appear to be behind us. There is no urgency for Maresca to rush his tactical blueprint.
"Slowly, slowly," he reminded viewers on Tuesday, fully aware that many fans expected Guardiola's exit to tilt the power balance in Manchester. If anyone is disappointed, it will be those who imagined an instant collapse. Beyond the surface, the win in Portugal offers several reasons to believe City are on an upward trajectory. Securing an away victory in the Champions League, and doing so without conceding, is never a trivial achievement.
Yet the most noteworthy individual story from the night belongs to teenage midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi. While Erling Haaland’s brace naturally attracted headlines, the frequency of his match‑winning contributions means that occasionally other performances deserve the spotlight.
Haaland himself highlighted Bouaddi’s impact in the post‑match interview: "I told the chairman, Khaldoon Al Mubarak, we have a gem here. He played an excellent game and has been outstanding in training." The £86 million summer acquisition from Lille exudes a rare confidence for a player still in his teens. It is not arrogance or flamboyance; it is a calm, measured composure that belies his age.
In his first start for City, Bouaddi displayed a maturity reminiscent of Rodri, showcasing similar positional awareness and ball retention. "He never panicked," Maresca praised on Prime Video. "His performance was unbelievable." Bouaddi’s technical self‑belief is evident in the way he dribbles, uses subtle feints, and changes direction while under pressure. His passing tempo is controlled, and his teammates quickly placed their trust in him, handing him the ball in tight spaces without hesitation.
Rayan Cherki, for instance, repeatedly used him as a pivot throughout the match. Perhaps the most compelling statistic is his passing accuracy: 98 % against Porto, edging even Rodri’s 96 % in Barcelona’s 5‑1 triumph over Feyenoord the following day.
While the sample size is tiny, the numbers hint at a promising start. The label "Baby Rodri" once weighed heavily on Nico Gonzalez at the club, creating a self‑fulfilling prophecy of failure. In Bouaddi’s case, the moniker appears less a burden and more an indication that City’s new midfield collective can compensate for the loss of a player many thought irreplaceable. Rodri remains a unique talent.
After an ACL injury in 2024, his ability to feature every three days waned, and his influence naturally diminished. Yet with Bouaddi, Elliot Anderson and Enzo Fernández, Maresca now commands a trio capable of sharing the workload. Anderson, who impressed with possession metrics comparable to Rodri’s during his final season at City, has already proven his worth at Nottingham Forest, outshining the Spaniard across most key indicators. He acted as the stabilising hinge in the Porto game, coming off the bench and displaying composure both on and off the ball.
His Premier League experience and maturity make him a reliable anchor for the younger Bouaddi, who will benefit from training alongside the 22‑year‑old. Fernández adds another dimension. A versatile midfielder comfortable in a No 8 role, he can also drift into a more advanced No 10 position, providing the goal threat that has been missing since Ilkay Gündogan’s departure. His tenacity and work‑rate complement the technical elegance of Bouaddi and the disciplined presence of Anderson.
Together they form a flexible, dynamic unit capable of adapting to various tactical demands. Financially, the club has invested roughly £326 million in this midfield overhaul.
While such a sum guarantees individual quality, it does not guarantee instant cohesion. The true value lies in how quickly these players develop chemistry and understand Maresca’s fluid system. So far, the signs are encouraging: each has settled into his role without forcing the structure, suggesting a synergy that money alone cannot buy.
The upcoming test will be the derby at Old Trafford against Manchester United, broadcast live on Sky Sports. Both sides will rely heavily on their revamped midfields to dominate the centre of the park—a crucial factor in a rivalry that often erupts into high‑intensity battles. Maresca is likely to deploy Anderson as the primary holding midfielder, with Fernández positioned just ahead, while Bouaddi may either start or provide an impact off the bench. The exact configuration remains fluid, reflecting the manager’s belief in positional interchangeability.
In summary, Manchester City’s recent midfield restructuring demonstrates that the club can indeed function without Rodri as the sole anchor. The blend of experience, youth, technical skill and tactical versatility offers a promising foundation for future success. While it is still early days for the teenage "gem" from Lille, his trajectory suggests he could evolve into a player capable of delivering every midfield quality the team requires. If City can continue to integrate these talents and refine their collective understanding, the notion that Rodri is indispensable may finally become a thing of the past.