Maresca pleased with Manchester City display despite shootout loss to Inter
Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca said he was pleased with his team’s performance in his first match in charge, despite a penalty shootout defeat to Inter Milan in a pre-season friendly in Hong Kong.
The match ended 1-1 before Inter won 3-1 on penalties, with Matteo Lavelli scoring the winning spot-kick.
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Maresca, who replaced Pep Guardiola in June, said there were many positives to take from the game.
“I’m very happy with the performance,” he said. “There are things we can improve, but we’ll get better step by step.”
City took the lead in the 14th minute when youngster Divin Mubama scored from close range after a cross from Antoine Semenyo.
Inter equalised soon after through Benjamin Pavard after City failed to clear a cross into the penalty area.
Both teams created chances in the second half, with City hitting the woodwork twice through Vitor Reis and Ryan McAidoo, but neither side found a winner before the shootout.
Maresca admitted his team struggled with their pressing in the first half but said changes made at half-time improved their performance after the break.
Around 43,000 fans attended the match at Hong Kong’s Kai Tak Stadium.
Several of City’s key players, including Erling Haaland and Rodri, were absent and will also miss the club’s remaining pre-season matches in South Korea.
Manchester City will face Arsenal in the Community Shield on August 16 before beginning their Premier League campaign at home against Bournemouth a week later.
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