Return of the Prodigal
When Frank Lampard walks out at the Etihad on Saturday, he will do so as one of a rare breed. Few have taken in a Premier League fixture at this stadium as both a player and a manager. His return, though, comes with Coventry City still hunting for their first top-flight point following a 25-year absence from the division.
The Blues, by contrast, are purring. Six points from six after a late win over Bournemouth and that commanding 4-1 dismantling of Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Friday night. A perfect start, in other words, and one Maresca will want to preserve against a side that has found life back in the big time chastening so far.
City rounded off a frantic transfer window by completing deals for Allan, Iliman Ndiaye and Enzo Fernandez, adding firepower to a squad already reshaped by the earlier arrivals of Elliot Anderson and Ayyoub Bouaddi. With Rayan Cherki and Erling Haaland looking to build on that excellent showing against the Eagles, there could be as many as three debuts for the home side.
Praise from a Familiar Face
Lampard, who spent a season in City colours back in 2014/15 under Manuel Pellegrini — making 38 appearances across all competitions — had plenty of warm words for the man in the opposite dugout. He has followed Maresca's path closely, particularly since the Italian took the Chelsea job.
"He's had a very, very good career," Lampard said. "I've followed his career path and obviously when he goes to Chelsea I follow it slightly more closely."
The Coventry boss acknowledged the scale of the task Maresca inherited. Following Pep Guardiola is not a job many would envy.
"Nothing but good things to say in terms of him as a coach, he's had a very good career and goes into what is a tough job, to follow one of the greatest managers we've ever seen in Pep Guardiola. That's not easy."
And yet Lampard sees no reason for concern. With the tools at his disposal, he backed Maresca to thrive.
"Absolutely I see that side of it, but also very good foundations for him to continue his good work with the team, the quality he's got there," he added.
Those foundations were tested in August. The win over Bournemouth was fraught with tension, carrying the added weight of being Maresca's first game at the Etihad. The nerves have since settled. Saturday offers the chance to make it three from three and keep the early momentum rolling.