Gvardiol's Late Winner Masks City's Defensive Concerns in Maresca's Debut

Gvardiol's Late Winner Masks City's Defensive Concerns in Maresca's Debut

It took until injury time, but City eventually got their first Premier League win under Enzo Maresca. A 2-1 victory over Bournemouth on the opening day, sealed by Josko Gvardiol's goal after a VAR check for offside, was the kind of late drama that gets a new era off to a flier. The performance, though, was a mixed bag.

City were the dominant side overall and played well in patches, yet there was a familiar fragility at the back. Defensive frailties remain a huge cause for concern, and Donnarumma was forced into three or four good saves. The defensive setup changed completely depending on whether City had the ball, and none of the back line seemed to know where to be or when.

Rico Lewis, who started well in a box-to-box role in the first 20 minutes, looked like a rabbit caught in the headlights at times, unsure of his positioning. His early shot, set up by a back-heel from Phil Foden, was a bright spot. But Bournemouth's goal came after three City defenders failed to make a successful challenge, with Evanilson left free on the right to whip a ball across for Marcus Tavenier to finish first-time past Donnarumma. Lewis had moved towards the centre of the box for no apparent reason, leaving his man in space.

In midfield, Marc Guehi started alongside Elliot Anderson, a pairing that raised eyebrows. Guehi, playing a John Stones-esque role, was fantastic, and Anderson looked comfortable, playing some lovely balls through. Guehi got City back into the match with a header from a set piece, after missing a header from two yards out earlier in the second half.

Erling Haaland should have put City ahead but inexplicably missed from three yards out, the ball seemingly hitting him after a great cross from Nico O'Reilly down the left. Antoine Semenyo and Foden either side of Haaland is one heck of an attacking three, but City were slow, lacked urgency and intensity, and the final ball was poor. Bournemouth found it easy to defend.

Every time Rayan Cherki got on the ball, City looked exciting and dangerous, and it was Cherki who provided the assist for Gvardiol's winner. Gvardiol had a poor game overall, but a last-minute winner makes up for a lot. The Croatian's hold on his run and his finish were both excellent.

Maresca's decision to leave the talisman out of the starting XI left fans baffled, and the author admitted he didn't expect Guehi in midfield, expecting instead to see Lewis as the up-and-down runner alongside Anderson.

This was the first EPL game post-Pep, and it's going to take time for the team to gel and understand how Maresca wants them to play. The performances will come; it's the wins that matter most. Next up is away at Crystal Palace.