Patience and Progress in Seoul
There was a 3-1 win over the K League All-Stars in Seoul, which is all well and good for the scoreline. But Enzo Maresca was more interested in something else entirely.
The new City boss believes his players are finally starting to get what he is asking of them. Not the full picture, not yet, but the early brushstrokes are there. After another run-out in South Korea's capital, he felt the performance was another encouraging step in pre-season preparations.
That much was evident in how the Blues went about their work. The patterns are emerging, the ideas taking shape. For a squad still missing some key names, there is a sense that the foundations are being laid.
Maresca's message was measured. He acknowledged the progress but was quick to point out that the best is yet to come. "We will improve further once everyone is available," he said, a line that hints at the ceiling this group might have.
Pre-season results can be deceptive. Nobody sensible reads too much into a friendly, no matter the opposition. But the signs of a manager imprinting his identity on a new squad are worth noting, even at this early stage.
The coming weeks will bring more tests, more minutes, more chances to sharpen the edges. For now, the encouraging part is that the players are listening. The rest, as they say, can wait.