Manchester City’s struggles under Enzo Maresca are becoming increasingly difficult to ignore. While tactical decisions have attracted plenty of attention, the problems facing the Italian manager appear to run much deeper than formations, substitutions and individual player performances.

Since succeeding Pep Guardiola in June 2026, Maresca has inherited one of the most demanding jobs in world football. Expectations remain exceptionally high at the Etihad Stadium, where supporters have become accustomed to winning trophies, dominating opponents and competing for every major honour.

However, the transition into a new era has not been entirely smooth.

City’s recent performances have raised questions about their mentality, intensity, consistency and ability to respond when matches become difficult. These concerns suggest that changing the team’s tactical approach alone will not be enough to solve the problems.

Maresca needs to rebuild more than a football system. He must restore confidence, improve collective responsibility and establish a winning mentality within a squad that is adjusting to life after Guardiola.

For Manchester City supporters, the biggest concern is whether the current difficulties represent temporary growing pains or signs of a much bigger rebuilding challenge.

Three Consecutive Defeats Expose Manchester City’s Deeper Problems

The most alarming aspect of City’s recent collapse is how quickly their season has changed.

Maresca’s team won their opening seven Premier League matches, creating expectations that they could immediately challenge for the title.

However, three consecutive defeats against Aston Villa, Brighton and Nottingham Forest have completely changed the conversation.

The results were disappointing, but the performances revealed different weaknesses.

Against Aston Villa, City struggled to turn possession into goals. Against Brighton, they created opportunities but failed to find the breakthrough. At Nottingham Forest, their defensive organisation and physical intensity were exposed.

Interestingly, City dominated possession in all three matches.

They recorded 63% possession against Villa, 62% against Brighton and an impressive 79% against Forest. Yet those numbers did not translate into points.

This is an important distinction.

Possession has always been central to Manchester City’s identity. However, controlling the ball does not automatically mean controlling a football match.

Opponents are increasingly finding ways to hurt City when possession changes hands.

Maresca must address that problem before it becomes a defining feature of his first season.

Manchester City’s Defensive Structure Is Becoming a Major Concern

Perhaps the biggest warning sign is City’s inability to keep clean sheets.

City had gone nine matches without a clean sheet following their victory at Anfield.

They had also conceded 17 goals across their previous eight matches.

Those numbers are particularly concerning for a club with ambitions of winning the Premier League.

Some individual mistakes have contributed to the problem, including errors involving goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma. However, blaming individual players would ignore the wider defensive difficulties.

City’s defensive structure is leaving too much space for opponents to attack.

Maresca prefers a high defensive line. This approach allows his team to maintain pressure, recover possession quickly and keep opponents away from their penalty area.

However, there is a significant risk.

When City lose possession, opposition attackers can exploit the space behind the defenders.

Nottingham Forest demonstrated exactly how dangerous this can become.

Their players attacked quickly, won important physical battles and repeatedly found opportunities to run towards City’s defensive line.

Liam Delap was particularly effective.

The former City youngster used his physical strength and movement to trouble the defenders, scoring twice as Forest punished City’s weaknesses.

For Maresca, the solution cannot simply be to ask his defenders to work harder.

The entire team must become better at protecting possession and responding immediately when the ball is lost.

Enzo Fernández and Rayan Cherki Combination Raises Questions

Another important issue concerns Maresca’s midfield selection.

Manchester City have several technically gifted players, but their attacking quality does not always translate into midfield control.

Enzo Fernández and Rayan Cherki are two examples.

Fernández offers excellent passing ability, creativity and the capacity to dictate the rhythm of a match. His technical qualities explain why Maresca rates him so highly.

Cherki is equally exciting.

The French attacking midfielder possesses exceptional dribbling ability, vision and creativity. He can unlock defensive blocks and produce moments that change matches.

However, both players have limitations when it comes to physical battles and defensive responsibilities.

This becomes a problem when they operate together without sufficient protection behind them.

The Premier League demands more than technical ability.

Midfielders must win tackles, compete for second balls, cover spaces and protect their defenders when possession is lost.

Against Forest, City’s midfield struggled to provide that protection.

Fernández was unable to dominate the physical contest, while Cherki’s defensive contribution was another concern.

This left Elliot Anderson with an enormous workload.

The English midfielder is capable of covering ground, winning challenges and helping City move between defence and attack. However, expecting him to compensate for every defensive weakness is unrealistic.

Maresca must find a better balance between creativity and physical strength.

It does not necessarily mean dropping Fernández or Cherki. Instead, it means constructing a midfield that allows their best qualities to flourish without exposing the team.

Rodri’s Absence Is Becoming Increasingly Difficult to Ignore

One of the biggest challenges facing Maresca is finding a solution to the absence of Rodri.

The Spanish midfielder previously provided Manchester City with something extremely difficult to replace.

He could dictate possession, break up opposition attacks, win important duels and protect the defensive line.

More importantly, Rodri understood when to accelerate the game and when to slow things down.

His presence allowed City’s attacking players to take greater risks because they knew someone was protecting the space behind them.

Without that balance, the team looks more vulnerable.

Anderson can contribute defensively, while Ayyoub Bouaddi offers another midfield option. Mateo Kovacic also provides experience and technical quality when available.

However, replacing Rodri’s influence requires more than finding another defensive midfielder.

Maresca needs a collective solution.

The midfield must work together to prevent counter-attacks, close passing lanes and win possession before opponents can attack the back four.

Until that happens, City’s defensive problems could continue regardless of how much possession they enjoy.

Premier League Charges Could Be Affecting Manchester City’s Mentality

Perhaps the most sensitive aspect of City’s current situation concerns the ongoing Premier League case.

The independent commission previously found Manchester City guilty of all but one of the charges brought against the club.

The possibility of significant sanctions has created uncertainty around the club.

Although it is impossible to establish exactly how much this situation affects the players, the timing raises questions.

The previous international break brought developments in the case. There is also speculation that further information about potential sanctions could emerge during the November international break.

Playing under uncertainty is never ideal.

Footballers are expected to concentrate on training, matches and results. However, an uncertain environment surrounding the club could create additional pressure.

There is no evidence that the legal situation directly caused City’s recent defeats.

Nevertheless, Maresca must ensure that external distractions do not influence the team’s performances.

Manchester City need unity, concentration and determination during this difficult period.

The players must remain focused on what happens on the pitch.

International Break Gives Maresca an Important Opportunity

Maresca has acknowledged that the international break provides an opportunity to reassess the situation.

Rather than immediately moving into another fixture, the Italian manager can use the available time to study the team’s weaknesses and identify practical solutions.

There are several priorities.

First, City must improve their defensive organisation. The team cannot continue conceding goals whenever opponents attack quickly.

Second, the midfield needs greater physical presence. Technical quality remains important, but winning duels and protecting the defence are equally essential.

Third, Maresca must reconsider how he balances his attacking players.

Selecting the most technically gifted individuals does not always produce the strongest team.

Sometimes, a more disciplined midfield combination offers better protection and allows the attackers to concentrate on creating opportunities.

Finally, the manager must restore confidence.

Three consecutive defeats can quickly create frustration, particularly at a club where expectations are extremely high.

The response against Fulham will therefore be important.

Manchester City Cannot Afford Another Disappointing Result Against Fulham

City’s next Premier League assignment is against Fulham on November 21.

The fixture provides Maresca with an opportunity to stop the disappointing run and give supporters something positive to celebrate.

However, Fulham should not be underestimated.

City must demonstrate greater determination, improve their defensive concentration and show that they have learned from their recent mistakes.

Simply dominating possession will not be enough.

Supporters want to see a team capable of controlling matches, competing physically and responding when opponents create difficult situations.

The international break could prove valuable if Maresca uses it effectively.

A convincing performance against Fulham would not immediately solve every problem, but it would provide an important foundation for rebuilding momentum.

Final Verdict: Maresca Must Fix Manchester City’s Identity, Not Just Their Formation

Manchester City’s current difficulties are a warning that tactical adjustments alone will not solve everything.

The defensive weaknesses, midfield imbalance, lack of physical intensity and uncertainty surrounding the club all contribute to a complicated situation.

Maresca deserves time to establish his ideas following Guardiola’s departure. However, the demands at Manchester City mean that improvements must arrive quickly.

The Italian manager has inherited a talented squad capable of competing at the highest level.

His biggest challenge is finding the right balance between attacking quality, defensive responsibility and collective determination.

City’s opening seven victories demonstrated their potential.

Their subsequent three defeats have exposed the work still required.

For the supporters, the message is clear: Manchester City need more than better tactics. They need their intensity, confidence and winning mentality back.

The Maresca era is still in its early stages, but the next few weeks could prove crucial in determining the direction of City’s 2026/27 campaign.