Manchester City’s manager Enzo Maresca takes part in a press conference ahead of the friendly football match against Inter Milan for the Asahi Super Dry Trophy at Kai Tak Stadium in Hong Kong on July 31, 2026. (Photo by May JAMES / AFP)
Enzo Maresca has suggested that Manchester City’s lack of pre-season preparation played a significant role in their disappointing Community Shield defeat to Arsenal.
City went into the match with four starting players who had not featured during the club’s pre-season campaign.
According to Maresca, speaking in an interview with Sky Sports Premier League on Thursday, the lack of competitive minutes was a key factor in City’s inability to find their rhythm against an Arsenal side that looked sharper from the opening whistle.
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