Enzo Maresca openly admitted that Manchester City’s 2-0 victory over Porto in the Champions League on Tuesday was not as smooth as fans might have hoped. The team’s uneven display prompted former England striker Alan Shearer, who was providing co‑commentary on Prime Video, to label the performance as "weak". Even though City took a while to cement their lead, they never really seemed in danger of losing it.
The statistics tell the same story: Porto were reduced to a handful of half‑chances and failed to register a single shot on target. For a side that had gone unbeaten at the Estádio do Dragão throughout the entire 2026 calendar year, the Portuguese outfit struggled to create any clear‑cut opportunities. A large part of that defensive solidity can be credited to City’s exceptionally well‑balanced midfield, which effectively shut down the opposition’s attacking rhythm. The natural temptation is to compare Maresca’s current setup with the earlier Guardiola‑era teams that revolved around Rodri’s presence.
Those previous squads were renowned for a seamless, almost mechanical flow, where each pass seemed pre‑programmed and the entire structure appeared flawless. That brand of perfection, however, is now a thing of the past.
There is no urgency for Maresca to rush his tactical overhaul. "Slowly, slowly," he reminded viewers on Tuesday, fully aware that many pundits expected Pep Guardiola’s exit to tilt the balance of power in Manchester. If anything, the new approach may pleasantly surprise those skeptics. Beyond the headline scoreline, the win in Portugal offers several deeper reasons to believe City are progressing in the right direction.
Securing an away victory in the Champions League is never a trivial feat, and doing so while keeping a clean sheet adds extra weight. One of the most noteworthy individual performances came from the teenage French midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi.
While Erling Haaland’s two goals naturally attracted the usual post‑match praise, Bouaddi’s influence was perhaps the more significant story. Haaland himself even highlighted Bouaddi’s impact after the game, telling club chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak, "We have a gem there. He played a fantastic match 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 the brash arrogance of a seasoned star, but a calm, measured composure that belies his age. In his first start for the Citizens, Bouaddi displayed a maturity reminiscent of Rodri’s style, showing poise under pressure and an uncanny ability to dictate tempo. Maresca praised him on the Prime Video broadcast, saying, "He never panicked. His performance was unbelievable." Bouaddi’s confidence is evident in his technical repertoire: quick shimmies, deft feints, and a smooth change of direction that keep defenders guessing.
His passing tempo is controlled, and he has already earned the trust of his teammates, who are comfortable handing him the ball even when pressed. Rayan Cherki, for instance, used him as a reliable outlet throughout the match. Statistically, Bouaddi’s passing accuracy against Porto was a staggering 98%, surpassing Rodri’s 96% in a 5‑1 Barcelona win over Feyenoord just a day later. While the sample size is tiny and it would be premature to declare him a direct replacement, the comparison underscores the potential of City’s new midfield configuration.
Labeling Bouaddi as "Baby Rodri" could be a double‑edged sword. When Nico González was at the club, that nickname seemed to put undue pressure on him, setting expectations that were difficult to meet. In City’s case, however, the broader midfield ensemble appears capable of compensating for the loss of a player many thought 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 has a trio of midfielders who can share the workload. Anderson, who came off the bench against Porto, posted possession numbers that rivaled Rodri’s own metrics from his peak. This is no surprise, given Anderson’s impressive display for Nottingham Forest last season, where he outperformed the 30‑year‑old Spaniard across most statistical categories.
His composure on and off the ball makes him a stabilising presence in the middle of the park. Fernández adds a different flavour to the mix. While not a metronomic passer, he brings tenacity and a willingness to drive forward, offering a goal‑threat that the City midfield lacked for years. His versatility allows him to operate as a traditional number 8, a more advanced number 10, or even drop deeper when required, echoing the role Ilkay Gündoğan once played under Guardiola.
Financially, the £326 million spent on this midfield overhaul reflects a willingness to acquire top‑class talent. Anderson’s experience in the Premier League makes him a safer bet than the 18‑year‑old Bouaddi, yet the young Frenchman stands to benefit enormously from training alongside a seasoned professional.
The three players complement each other: Bouaddi is naturally a defensive‑midfielder (a number 6), Anderson and Fernández fit the box‑to‑box (number 8) profile, but all possess the mobility to interchange positions as the tactical system demands. The true test of this new midfield will come in the upcoming derby against Manchester United at Old Trafford, broadcast live on Sky Sports. Both sides will rely heavily on their revamped engines to dominate the centre of the pitch, a battle that often decides the outcome of such high‑intensity encounters. Maresca is likely to slot Anderson into the holding role, with Fernández positioned just ahead to link play, while Bouaddi could either start or provide an impact off the bench.
It is still early days for the teenage prodigy, but his trajectory suggests he could evolve into a midfielder capable of offering every quality a modern side desires. In summary, while Rodri’s departure initially seemed like a potential crisis, City’s recent signings and the development of home‑grown talent indicate that the club may no longer need to rely on a single, irreplaceable pivot.
The blend of experience, youth, and versatility in the midfield provides a solid foundation for the remainder of the season and beyond. The upcoming clash with United will be a crucial barometer of how quickly these pieces can gel, but the signs are promising: Manchester City’s midfield is shaping up to be a dynamic, multifaceted engine capable of sustaining the club’s lofty ambitions.