Manchester City winger Antoine Semenyo says new manager Enzo Maresca’s attacking philosophy is perfectly suited to his game after making an encouraging start under the Italian coach.
Antoine Semenyo has impressed during City’s pre-season clash with Inter Milan in Hong Kong, tormenting full-back Andy Diouf with his pace and direct running before helping create Divine Mukasa’s goal in Maresca’s first match in charge.
Although City eventually lost on penalties, Semenyo believes the performance offered a glimpse of the football supporters can expect under the former Chelsea boss.
Speaking after the game, the 26-year-old admitted Maresca’s tactical approach immediately caught his attention when the Italian was appointed.
“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 revealed he is particularly excited by the freedom being given to City’s wingers, allowing them to attack defenders in one-on-one situations.
“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.”
The former Bournemouth forward also disclosed that Maresca has already held individual meetings with players to explain his tactical ideas and expectations.
“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.”
Semenyo believes the new manager’s philosophy shares similarities with former boss Pep Guardiola, while also giving attacking players greater licence to express themselves.
“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.”
The Black Stars winger says Maresca’s instructions are refreshingly simple.
“Enzo is just [stay] out wide and when you get the ball, just create opportunities. So it is music to my ears.”
Semenyo will be hoping the freedom offered by Maresca’s system translates into another productive campaign as Manchester City prepare for the start of the new Premier League season.
