Sports

Manchester City New Coach Maresca Similar To Guardiola – Antoine Semenyo

Published August 4, 2026 at 5:40 PM

Antoine Semenyo celebrates after scoring for Manchester City in the 2026 FIFA Cup final on Saturday, May 16.

Key Takeaways

Manchester City winger Antoine Semenyo said new manager Enzo Maresca’s tactical approach is similar to Pep Guardiola’s and suits his strengths as a winger.
Maresca’s first City match in Hong Kong ended in a penalty shootout loss to Inter Milan, but Semenyo said the display showed his attacking ideas.
Semenyo said Maresca wants him to stay wide, take one-on-one chances and create opportunities, after individual meetings on how City will set up.

Manchester City winger Antoine Semenyo believes new manager Enzo Maresca’s tactical approach shares similarities with that of former boss Pep Guardiola, saying the Italian’s style is perfectly suited to his strengths.

Maresca took charge of his first City match in Hong Kong, where the former Premier League champions lost on penalties to Inter Milan after an encouraging display that highlighted the attacking philosophy he intends to implement.

Semenyo started the game and caused constant problems for Inter full-back Andy Diouf with his pace and direct running. The Ghana international also played a key role in the move that led to Divin Mubama’s goal before being replaced at half-time.

Young substitute Ryan McAidoo also caught the eye, prompting Maresca to describe both players as the type of wingers he enjoys working with because of their willingness to attack defenders in one-on-one situations.

Reflecting on the new manager’s arrival, Semenyo said he was immediately encouraged by Maresca’s tactical ideas.

“When he got appointed, that was the first thing I thought about because when you’ve played Chelsea previously when he was there, his wide men were always high and quite free,” Semenyo said.

“So that was one of the things that excited me the most when he got appointed and it’s exciting for me as a winger. I get to have one-v-one situations most of the game and I am looking forward to it.

“I have had individual meetings with him on how he wants to set up, how he wants to play his wide men and just overall as a team.

“I think his ideas are great, quite similar to Pep, but if you watched the [Inter] game, you would have seen a couple of his ideas play out and it was good. Enzo is just [stay] out wide and when you get the ball, just create opportunities. So it is music to my ears.”

Semenyo joined Manchester City from Bournemouth during the January transfer window and helped the club lift both the FA Cup and the Carabao Cup last season.

The 26-year-old also represented Ghana at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where the Black Stars reached the round of 32.

Author:

Ernest Victor

Victor Ernest Osong is a passionate communicator, teacher, poet, well-trained journalist, creative strategist, purpose-driven storyteller, and realist. With a strong foundation in writing, editing, content development, and leadership, he specializes in shaping narratives that inform, inspire, and ignite action. Email: [email protected]