Enzo Maresca admitted a liking for the “boom-boom” of house music in the buildup to this match, then enjoyed the sweet notes of victory having overseen a gritty performance in near-incessant rain from his Manchester City side. They had lost six of their past nine away games in the competition and been beaten in the 2021 Champions League final at this venue, so to beat Porto and claim three points is a fillip for the manager’s nascent project. A bust-up at half-time as the players and staff neared the tunnel may bring Uefa scrutiny, though.
Images showed Rúben Dias placing a hand on what appeared to be Francesco Farioli, Porto’s coach. The defender did so as tempers frayed following a clash between Marc Guéhi and Gabriel Veiga that left the latter with a head injury, though he continued. Informed of Dias’s act, Maresca was visibly angered when asked if his captain will be spoken to, as it could cost City.
How many times you see their bench?” he said. Overall the Italian should feel exuberant. All four of his opening games have been won – maybe more than even the 46-year-old would have hoped for, Erling Haaland’s double maintaining the perfect start.
The goalscoring phenomenon is now third on City’s all-time chart with 167 goals after only four years, with 59 in 59 Champions League matches. Haaland said: “Amazing game, against the champions of Portugal. We have to deliver on the biggest stage and we did that tonight.” Maresca handed Ayyoub Bouaddi a full debut, alongside Enzo Fernández in midfield, and the 18-year-old Moroccan impressed, though a failure to find Haaland brought a reprimand.
I was a bit angry so I’ll tell him right now – but he played a good game, except that pass.” Initially, Porto could allow City to pitter-patter passes about as there was no quickness or penetration. Farioli’s men offered an example of how when Guéhi’s ball short-changed Bouaddi, possession was nabbed, and suddenly William Gomes had to be stopped on the edge of City’s area. Earlier, Veiga sliced through and had Gianluigi Donnarumma saving: the offside flag went up but here were two warnings.
Discard the ponderous pace might have been Maresca’s message because when Phil Foden switched flanks from the right and accelerated, Porto were splayed, and Haaland’s header from the cross required Diogo Costa to keep the contest goalless. A near-carbon copy arrived when Antoine Semenyo popped the ball over from the left but, this time, Haaland’s header sailed over. City were warming up: Foden, Rayan Cherki and Haaland all being denied, as Porto were caught in a chokehold around their area.
Extract — continue reading at the source.
