Maresca rues early setback as Arsenal beat Manchester City 3-0 in Community Shield

Enzo Maresca said Manchester City’s early setback was a major factor in their 3-0 defeat by Arsenal in the Community Shield on Sunday, admitting he was disappointed by the way his side’s first competitive match unfolded.

Arsenal secured the trophy for the 18th time in their history with goals from Riccardo Calafiori, Kai Havertz and Martin Odegaard.

Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live after the match, Manchester City manager Maresca said conceding after only 25 seconds had made life difficult in a game between two closely matched teams.

“I think the goal we conceded after 25 seconds unfortunately affected the match at that moment,” said the Italian.

“I think our reaction was good before the second goal. We had three or four chances to score and equalise, but unfortunately we conceded the second goal, which made things more complicated.”

Maresca, who succeeded Pep Guardiola after the former manager left Manchester City at the end of last season, said his team had responded positively after Arsenal took the lead but had been unable to make their opportunities count.

“I am disappointed about that because the level of the teams in this kind of match is very close. When you concede a goal, it becomes difficult,” he added.

“But I think the performance after the first goal was very good, and we created chances. However, once again, the score was 2-0 and that made things more complicated.”

The defeat came in Maresca’s first official match in charge of Manchester City. His attention will now turn to the start of the Premier League, with the new season beginning for City next Sunday.

“There is something wrong, but it is only the beginning,” Maresca said. “We will start the Premier League next Sunday, and then the focus must be on that.”

The manager acknowledged that his new team still had plenty to improve, despite the result at the Community Shield.

“We have many things to work on,” he said. “The season has just started, so there are many things we need to improve. But even when we win matches, there are things we need to improve.”

Arsenal’s victory gave them their 18th Community Shield success, while Manchester City were left to reflect on a defeat that Maresca believes was shaped by the opening moments. The Italian said the narrow margins between the two sides meant conceding so early had a particularly damaging effect, although he was encouraged by the chances City created before Arsenal doubled their advantage.

For Maresca, the match represented the beginning of a new era at Manchester City following Guardiola’s departure. With the Premier League campaign now only days away, he will look to use the opening fixture as the next opportunity to address the weaknesses exposed in the defeat by Arsenal.