“Sunderland game will be the toughest game,” Enzo Maresca warns Manchester City

September 18, 2026

Sunderland-game-will-be-the-toughest-game-Enzo-Maresca-warns-Manchester-City — @Man City

Key Takeaways

Enzo Maresca warned that the home clash against Sunderland “will be the toughest game since we start the season.”
Maresca praised Régis Le Bris’ coaching and Sunderland’s aggression, claiming “they didn’t deserve to lose” their recent league encounter against Arsenal.
The manager highlighted squad clarity after resting key starters, noting it is a “privilege” to lead Manchester City following Pep Guardiola’s departure.

High praise for Sunderland ahead of Etihad clash

Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca has urged his side to brace themselves for their sternest examination of the campaign when Sunderland visit the Etihad Stadium on Sunday. The Italian manager, aiming to maintain City’s flawless start and secure a seventh consecutive win under his stewardship, believes the Black Cats pose an immense threat despite arriving as last term’s surprise package.

Sunderland, who secured a seventh-place finish and European qualification last year, travel to Manchester having already picked up three 1-0 victories in all competitions and a 1-1 draw at Brentford. Maresca studied their recent outings thoroughly, including a domestic meeting where Arsenal defeated Sunderland with a final score of Sunderland 0-2 Arsenal.

“I have the feeling that Sunderland game will be the toughest game since we start the season,” Maresca explained. “I watched them already in the last two days, three, four games. I know them already. I know how strong they are and I have the feeling that on Sunday we need a top top performance to beat them and we need to be 100% to win to win the game.”

Régis le Bris earns tactical respect

The fixture marks Régis Le Bris’ 100th game at the helm of Sunderland, and Maresca highlighted just how quickly the Frenchman has molded an aggressive, well-drilled side capable of unsettling top-flight opposition.

Reflecting on Sunderland’s display against Arsenal, Maresca said: “I think personally they didn’t deserve to lose that game. But again they are very strong, well coached, very well coached from the their manager and again they are already timed together. So you can see what they want to do on the ball and off the ball.”

Asked if the football world should still feel surprised by the newly promoted club’s rise to continental competition, Maresca insisted that the footage speaks for itself: “If you watch them, you are not surprised because watching them you realize how good they are, how good they are on the ball, off the ball, how aggressive they are, the amount of duels that they win every game.”

Squad rotation and team clarity

City head into the weekend on the back of a demanding schedule that featured away trips to Porto and Old Trafford, where Manchester City defeated Manchester United with a final score of Manchester United 0-1 Manchester City. Maresca heavily rotated his lineup in midweek, leaving key figures fresh for Sunday’s clash while welcoming Jeremy Doku back into contention.

“We gave rest to the ones that they play backto back 90 minutes, Porto and United. Yeah, the derby,” Maresca said. “So, was important for them to give them rest and now hopefully they can be full of energy for for Sunday game that will be a strong game.”

Despite making extensive personnel changes, Maresca took immense satisfaction in seeing his tactical philosophy take root throughout the squad. “Even today that we made I think 10 changes only Ryan Cherokee was the only one repeating from Man United even making 10 changes I think the the players or the game plan for them was quite clear on the ball end of the ball and this is the most important thing,” he noted.

Embracing the challenge after Pep Guardiola

Following in the footsteps of Pep Guardiola has brought substantial scrutiny, yet Maresca has embraced the transition with composure as he oversees a refreshed squad missing long-standing figures such as Rodri and Bernardo Silva.

“To be in this club, it’s a privilege and to be in this club after a legend like Pep, it’s a privilege,” Maresca reflected. “I know that if I don’t win it’s a disaster. I know it’s normal. It’s my job. I don’t spend day my day by day thinking who was here before for how many years what the club achieve. I’m just focus on what we can do better improve the team and trying to win games.”