Maresca hails 'very good' changes as late fightback stuns Bournemouth

Late show offers early sign of Maresca's City

It was not the script Enzo Maresca would have written for his first home league game in charge. Trailing as late as the 84th minute, City turned it around to beat Bournemouth 2-1 — their latest home turnaround since the title-winning 2011-12 season. The kind of result that gets a new manager off to a flying start, even if the performance was a little more complicated.

Maresca was quick to point out that the victory was not a smash-and-grab. "I think it was actually a game we deserved to win early because we controlled the game and we created chances," he said. "Before the goal we conceded we had three or four clear chances and we missed."

That much was true. City dominated possession and carved out opportunities, but found themselves behind with time running out. The comeback was powered by the bench — five changes that Maresca felt made the difference. "Today the five changes I think they were very good," he said.

The slow start might be explained by the state of the squad. Four or five players — Erling Haaland, Elliot Anderson, Marc Guehi and Nico O'Reilly among them — only arrived within the last ten days. "For them it is still almost pre-season," Maresca admitted.

One of those late arrivals, Guehi, was deployed in an unfamiliar midfield role. It was a gamble that paid off. "I know Marc from Palace and I always thought he could play as a midfielder because he is very good," Maresca explained. "So we tried it for a few days and I think he was quite good."

With the transfer window still open for another eight days, there could be more movement. "We will see, it's eight days to go," he said. "For sure something is going to happen."

One deal that appears close is the signing of Ayyoub Bouaddi. While the Club has not confirmed it, reports suggest the move has been finalised. Maresca said he would speak with the club about it after the press conference.

"I will speak now with the club after the press conference."

For now, Maresca can enjoy a first home win that showed character, even if the performance was a little rough around the edges. With new arrivals still settling in and more potentially on the way, there is plenty of work ahead — but this was a promising start.