Enzo Maresca has hailed Erling Haaland’s match-winning contribution after Manchester City secured a thrilling 3-2 Champions League victory over RB Leipzig, insisting the Norwegian striker must remain mentally involved even when he is not seeing much of the ball.
Haaland delivered the decisive moment with a clinical finish at the back post, converting Elliot Anderson’s excellent work to seal all three points for City. Remarkably, the striker needed just his 13th touch of the game to find the net, underlining his extraordinary ability to turn limited involvement into a decisive contribution.
For Maresca, that instinct is precisely what makes Haaland such a valuable weapon. The City boss had stressed the importance of keeping his captain engaged before the match and was delighted to see him deliver when the opportunity arrived.
“I said yesterday that it’s always important that Erling is inside the game,” said Maresca.
The manager believes Haaland’s presence alone gives City a constant attacking threat, knowing the striker can change a game with a single opportunity.
“We know that any moment he can help us and he can score goals.”
Maresca was also pleased that City’s attacking threat came from different players, although he felt the team should have been more clinical after creating several opportunities against Leipzig.
“Tonight also we scored more goals with different players, so we created so many chances that unfortunately we missed.”
He added that Haaland’s goal was a welcome reward for the forward, who also had the responsibility of leading the team as captain.
“I’m very happy he scored. Happy for him. It’s always a nice feeling to win and to be the captain.”
Despite celebrating the victory, Maresca agreed with Haaland’s assessment that Manchester City still have considerable room for improvement. The manager insisted he remains confident about the team’s potential, particularly because he can already identify areas where performances can become stronger.
“That we can do better? Absolutely, no doubt. That’s why I’m so happy, so confident because I can see that we can do much better,” he said.
Maresca pointed to the relatively short time the squad has spent working together, explaining that consistency and understanding cannot be developed overnight. He believes the team will continue to improve as the players become more familiar with his methods and expectations.
“For me it’s a normal thing because it’s just four months ago that we started. It’s not automatic.”
“You need time to work together. That’s why I’m so happy and so confident I can see we can improve in many things – especially because I think both [Leipzig] goals are quite silly goals that we can avoid.”
The City manager also identified defensive lapses as an issue that must be addressed, arguing that creating chances is only part of the equation. Avoiding preventable goals will be equally important if his side are to reach their full potential.
“We are creating since day one, many chances in each games. But we need to avoid conceding silly goals.”
Maresca believes reviewing performances and building relationships within the squad will be central to that process, particularly as he continues to establish his own understanding of the players.
“We need to understand. Analyse. Review things. I spend one season here three years ago but I’m new here. I need to know the players, and they need to know me.”
“It’s four months we are together. That’s why I’m so happy and so confident that we can only improve with this short period.”
Nevertheless, the immediate priority was securing a valuable Champions League away victory in Germany. Maresca acknowledged the difficulty of the assignment and welcomed the result, even as he challenged his players to raise their level.
“But I’m happy with the three points because its Champions League away, in Germany, it’s always difficult.”
For City, Haaland’s decisive finish provided the difference on a night when their attacking quality proved crucial. Maresca will take encouragement from the result, but his message is clear: the victory is important, and the next step is delivering a more complete performance.
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