Semenyo's hunger gives City a glimpse of the winger Maresca demands
There was a moment in the first half at the Kai Tak Stadium that said more about Antoine Semenyo than any pre-season stat ever could. The ball came to him on the left, Andy Diouf in front, and the Ghana international simply went at him. Not sideways, not backwards. Straight at the defender.
It was exactly the sort of behaviour Enzo Maresca has been asking for since he arrived. The City boss has made it clear he wants wingers who can beat their man in one-on-one situations, and in the opening 45 minutes against Inter Milan, Semenyo, Savinho and Ryan McAidoo all showed that trait. None more so than the January signing.
Semenyo lined up on the left for the first half and spent the entire 45 minutes running at Diouf, Inter's right wing-back. The pattern was relentless. Drive, commit, go again. It was the kind of directness that makes defenders nervous before the ball even arrives.
It produced City's goal in the 14th minute. Semenyo powered to the byline and pulled the ball across goal for Divin Mubama to tap in at the back post. A few minutes later he was at it again, cutting inside onto his right foot, only for Josep Martínez to save smartly.
The friendly itself finished 1-1, with Inter taking the penalty shootout 3-1, but the scoreline was never really the point. This was about watching a winger do precisely what his manager demands of him, and doing it with a hunger that should worry every full-back City face this season.
Semenyo arrived from Bournemouth in January and was a prominent figure for Pep Guardiola's side in the second half of last season. His goals were vital, including the winner in the FA Cup final against Chelsea. Half a season in, he already looks like he belongs.
Pre-season is a time for fitness and fine-tuning, but it is also a time for statements. Semenyo made one. Maresca wants wingers who take defenders on. On this evidence, he has one who will do it all day long.