Maresca Addresses Fixture Congestion Ahead of Manchester Derby
Enzo Maresca brushed aside any talk of an unfair advantage as he prepared for his first Manchester derby, insisting fixture congestion is simply part of the modern game.
Manchester City head into Sunday’s Premier League showdown with two extra days’ rest after their 2-0 win away to Porto in the Champions League on Tuesday. Manchester United, by contrast, were still dismantling Sabah 4-0 some 48 hours later, leaving Michael Carrick’s players with a tighter turnaround and less preparation time.
The narrative writes itself: the champions fresh, the challengers stretched. Maresca refused to bite.
“It happens in football”
Asked about the scheduling, the City manager reached straight for recent history. He recalled last September, when City were the side scrambling to recover before a major league clash.
Back then, Arsenal had played at Athletic Club in the early kick-off on a Tuesday, while City were stuck with a late 20:00 BST start against Napoli on the Thursday night before heading to Emirates Stadium. The imbalance was obvious, the complaints predictable. Pep Guardiola even joked he was taking his players “hiking in the mountains” to get them ready.
Maresca made it clear the club had reminded him of that episode.
"To be honest, the club mentioned to me that it happened exactly the same last year when the club played Napoli and then, after two days, played Arsenal," he told BBC Sport.
His conclusion was blunt.
"Sometimes it happens in football. I don't have any doubt that Man United are going to be ready for that. It just matters to adapt."
No excuses. No noise. Just a message: deal with it.
A heavier calendar, the same message
This season’s expanded Champions League format only tightens the squeeze. Clubs now face two extra group-stage games before the end of January. English sides must also navigate the Carabao Cup on top of domestic and European demands.
City host Norwich in the third round next Thursday. United welcome Brighton to Old Trafford the night before. The treadmill does not slow down.
Asked whether the calendar eventually balances itself out over the season, Maresca did not budge from his theme.
"I think that happens and you need to adapt," he said. "It happened last year with us, this season with them, next season it will happen with a different team."
Pressed on how Carrick might be feeling about the short turnaround, he swerved any attempt to speak for his opposite number.
"That's a question for Michael. The only thing I can say is it happened and you need to adapt."
The word kept returning: adapt. For Maresca, it is not a slogan. It is a requirement.
Derby debut for a flying City
Behind the calm rhetoric sits a manager heading into his first Manchester derby with momentum firmly on his side. City have opened their league campaign with three wins from three. United have managed just four points from their first three matches.
Form, though, has rarely dictated the ferocity of this fixture.
"It is very important for different reasons," said the Italian. "We know how important a derby is, especially here. It is a special game."
He did not talk about statements or psychological blows. Instead, he narrowed the focus to City’s identity.
"The most important thing we can do is try to be ourselves and then we see the final result."
Two extra days’ rest, a perfect league start, home advantage, and a manager refusing to lean on any of it. On Sunday, Maresca will discover whether adaptation and identity are enough to keep Manchester blue.
