Maresca warns City cannot keep relying on Haaland after back-to-back Premier League defeats

Enzo Maresca has told his Manchester City players they must stop depending on Erling Haaland for goals after back-to-back Premier League defeats dropped the club below Arsenal in the standings.

City fell 1-0 at Brighton on Saturday, following a 2-1 home loss to Aston Villa, and Arsenal capitalised by beating Liverpool the following day to move to the top of the table. Haaland was kept quiet at the Amex Stadium, leaving City without a goal for the first time this season.

“It’s very important that in each game we create chances,” Maresca said. “For sure, when you have Erling inside the pitch, it’s better because he’s going to score goals, or you know he’s always there close. At the same time, we cannot rely on Erling for every game. We need also the rest to score goals. But, again, I think the last game against Brighton was the only game of the season where we didn’t score. If Erling is on the pitch we are happy.”

Maresca was speaking ahead of City’s Champions League clash with RB Leipzig in Germany on Wednesday. City have won two of their three league-phase fixtures, beating Porto and AEK Athens, with their only European setback a defeat to holders PSG last month.

Phil Foden offered a bright spot in the win over AEK Athens, scoring a hat-trick in a performance that suggested the 2024 men’s player of the year is rediscovering his best form. The midfielder served a domestic suspension earlier this season after being sent off in the Manchester derby and has featured from the bench in City’s last two Premier League games.

“I had the unfortunate red card against Man United but I think the break did me good,” Foden said. “I came back really fresh and sharp. I’ve been involved in a lot of goals lately and I’ve been really happy with my own performance. Hopefully I can get back to that level — I think I’m starting to get back there now.”

Foden was also dropped by England for last summer’s World Cup following two difficult seasons at club level. Asked about his international prospects under Thomas Tuchel, the midfielder was measured in his response.

“Football is full of ups and downs and it’s one of those things you can’t control,” he said. “You just have to keep trying your best on the field and keep putting in performances. Hopefully, one day, the call-up might come back.”

On whether he had spoken to Tuchel recently, Foden added: “I haven’t really spoken to him. There’s not much to say on that.”