The curtain raiser to the new season did not end well for Enzo Maresca as his Manchester City side was trounced 3-0 by Arsenal. However, you cannot look too much to the Community Shield, as none of the last six winners have gone on to win the Premier League in the same campaign.
The convincing win was a statement by the defending Premier League champions, Arsenal. Maresca needs to get fans onside, especially as he has big boots to fill. There will always be comparisons between him and Pep Guardiola. Therefore, it is a must that Maresca gets his lineup right in his first league game in charge of City this weekend.
City come up against an AFC Bournemouth side who will likely be in transition after losing Andoni Iraola to Liverpool. His replacement in the dugout is Marco Rose, who has experience in the Bundesliga with RB Leipzig, Borussia Dortmund and Borussia Mönchengladbach. However, we will soon find out if he can adapt to the Premier League.
Predicted starting 11 for Enzo Maresca's first Premier League game
Goalkeeper and Defenders
GK: Gianluigi Donnarumma
There is no doubt that Gianluigi Donnarumma will start against Bournemouth. He is the undisputed number one at the club, especially now that James Trafford has gone to Leeds United.
RB: Matheus Nunes
Abdukodir Khusanov, who is predominantly a centre-back, started against Arsenal at right-back. However, he did little to stop Christos Tzolis from having a star performance. Therefore, Maresca could choose to play Matheus Nunes at right-back against the Cherries.
CB: Ruben Dias
Rúben Dias did not have his best game against the Gunners. However, the fact that he wore the captain's armband shows that Maresca has faith in him. This is despite the manager having the option of playing Marc Guehi instead.
CB: Joško Gvardiol
Maresca favours playing a 4-2-3-1 formation, so he will likely stick to a back four. Joško Gvardiol will likely keep his place, but Guehi is challenging for a starting spot.
LB: Nico O'Reilly
Nico O'Reilly will likely keep his place after Rayan Aït-Nouri was left on the bench against Arsenal.
Midfielders
CDM: Elliot Anderson
New signing Elliot Anderson needs time to gel with his teammates, especially as Rodri has now gone to Barcelona.
CDM: Mateo Kovačič
The experienced Mateo Kovačič should be the perfect midfield partner for Anderson. Both can play holding and attacking roles, so they should complement each other nicely. This will allow each player to have their turns at getting forward.
CAM: Rayan Cherki
Phil Foden put in an underwhelming performance in the Community Shield. Therefore, it would be wise for Maresca to field Rayan Cherki ahead of him. The Frenchman lit up the Premier League last season, so he should have the confidence to do so again.
Forwards
RW: Antoine Semenyo
Antoine Semenyo has got to start on the right wing; he will be facing his former club, which he left in January. Semenyo will have to deal with the stick that he will inevitably get from the away fans at the Etihad Stadium this Sunday.
LW: Jack Grealish
Jack Grealish appears to be getting a fresh start under Maresca after spending last season on loan at Everton. After Jeremy Doku had to come off injured at half-time at Wembley last weekend, it could be time for Grealish to start.
CF: Erling Haaland
There is no doubt that Erling Haaland will lead the line against the Cherries. Haaland has scored a remarkable 162 goals in 199 games for City. In his double-century match for the club, the Norwegian will want to mark the occasion by getting on the scoresheet.
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