Maresca warns Man City cannot rely on Haaland alone across a 65-game season

Enzo Maresca has told his Manchester City players they cannot depend solely on Erling Haaland to deliver goals across what he expects to be a 65-game season, following a 1-0 Premier League defeat to Brighton on Saturday that left City without a goal for the first time this season.

Haaland, who has scored 13 times in all competitions, was largely starved of clear-cut opportunities at the weekend — a recurring problem after City were also made to pay for wastefulness in a 2-1 loss to Aston Villa the week before. The Norwegian remains the focal point of Maresca’s attack, but the absence of a recognised back-up striker is a growing concern, with the next viable option, Antoine Semenyo, sidelined until Christmas.

“We cannot rely on Erling in every game; we need the rest to score goals,” Maresca said. “The last game against Brighton was the only game of the season where we didn’t score. If Erling is in the pitch we are happy, but we need the rest to score goals.”

The City manager also stressed the importance of creating chances regardless of who is on the pitch. “When you have Erling inside the pitch, it’s better because you know he’s close to scoring goals,” he added. “It’s very important that in each game we create chances.”

Saturday’s starting midfield of Ayyoub Bouaddi, Elliot Anderson, and Enzo Fernandez — a trio that had generated considerable anticipation — failed to provide the creativity needed to unlock Brighton. Phil Foden has been part of a rotating support cast around Haaland, with competition for places on the wings and in midfield still being settled.

Maresca acknowledged that his squad is still adapting to his methods, having only begun working with many of these players over the summer. Despite back-to-back league defeats, he insists the long-term vision remains intact, with City sitting on six points from nine in the Champions League and facing RB Leipzig next — a side Haaland famously scored five goals against during the 2022-23 Treble campaign.

“We have so many games and we have so many good players. This is not a short run, it’s not a sprint, it’s a marathon,” Maresca said. “We need to think about 65 games. It’s very important to arrive in February or March when things are going to be exciting to have everyone available and fit.”