Porto 0-2 Man City: What Maresca and Haaland said
- Published
Manchester City boss Enzo Maresca, speaking to Amazon Prime: "I think we could've scored more goals, especially in the first half, but overall I think we deserved to win the game.
"We created enough chances to win the game. We didn't concede a lot. It's normal to come here and concede some chances because it's normal, so overall, I'm happy with the performance.
"I think I am lucky because all the squad is good players. For a manager, it is easy because you can give minutes to all of them, and tonight I think the guys that were inside were very good."
On Ayyoub Bouaddi's performance: "The good thing is that from Erling [Haaland], Ruben [Dias], Mateo [Kovacic] you expect how to manage this game, but he was never in panic, Ayyoub Bouaddi. He was very good, and I think the performance was unbelievable."
Man City forward Erling Haaland, speaking to Amazon Prime: "It was a difficult fight, man against man. They are a top team. Honestly, they are impressive.
"I think honestly we controlled the first half. A bit uncomfortable when they came a bit high, but we created a lot of chances. I could easily have had a lot more goals, but second half we scored, and they pushed us for a good 25 minutes, but again we managed to hold through and then finish the game.
"I think these are the games that we have to win, and we have had a great start to the season. In the Champions League you have to win games because, if not, you suddenly get all the pressure, and then you never know what's going to happen."
On 18-year-old Bouaddi making his debut: "I think he played a very good game. Last couple of weeks in training, I told the chairman that he has been amazing, so I think we have a gem here.
"But to be honest, I think he should have played me through in the second half when I was all alone. I was a bit angry, so I will tell him right now, he played a good game, except that pass."
Did you know?
Manchester City have won the first match of their Champions League campaign in seven of the last eight seasons (drawn one v Inter Milan in 2024-25) since a 1-2 loss to Lyon in 2018-19.
Erling Haaland scored his 36th Champions League goal for Manchester City, equalling Sergio Agüero as joint-most for the Citizens in the competition.
Listen to more match reaction from Maresca above or on BBC Sounds