Gvardiol admits City's defensive habits are slowing Maresca's system overhaul

Josko Gvardiol has acknowledged that Manchester City’s early-season defensive struggles are rooted in deeply ingrained habits from the Pep Guardiola era, as new head coach Enzo Maresca works to implement a different defensive system at the Etihad.

City have looked vulnerable at the back in their opening fixtures, conceding three times in a 3-0 defeat to Arsenal — including a goal inside the first minute — before Bournemouth led for most of Sunday’s match until a late Gvardiol goal sealed a 2-1 comeback win. The Croatian defender, who has started both games alongside Ruben Dias, Abdukodir Khusanov and goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, was candid about the root of the problem.

“There is something that they used to do before at Chelsea and Leicester. It’s not too complicated but the problem is our habit is slightly different than what he wants from us so it will take time,” Gvardiol said after the Bournemouth victory. “Every day we are working on it, and I think at the end of the day, it’s a good idea, and I think it’s going to work out.”

Maresca, who built his reputation on a well-drilled defensive structure during spells at Leicester City and Chelsea, has been hands-on in training since taking charge, but accepts that unpicking years of muscle memory will not happen overnight. He offered a colourful analogy ahead of the Bournemouth fixture to explain the challenge his players face.

“I am an actor and I work with the same director, and we make movies for ten years. Suddenly the director changes, me as the actor I’m still thinking in the same way as I was with the previous director but now the director is new so I need to adapt. It’s complicated, it’s not easy,” Maresca said. “It’s not an excuse but it requires a little bit of time, but we need to compete as soon as possible.”

Maresca was without several key players for much of pre-season as those involved in the latter stages of the World Cup returned late, meaning the defensive unit has had only around three weeks of consistent work together. Despite the early turbulence, Gvardiol’s match-winning contribution and his measured assessment of the situation suggest confidence within the squad that the new system will click into place.