Maresca Sets Seven-Game Record as Man City Beat Ipswich 3-2
Manchester City moved six points clear at the Premier League summit with a 3-2 victory over Ipswich on Saturday, as Enzo Maresca became the first manager to win each of his first seven league matches in charge of a club.
Key takeaways
- City’s win over Ipswich extended Maresca’s flawless opening league run to seven matches.
- The champions now hold a six-point advantage at the top of the table.
- Maresca has surpassed the six-win starts previously achieved by Pep Guardiola, Carlo Ancelotti and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
- City host Greek champions AEK Athens in the Champions League league phase on Tuesday.
- A positive result against AEK would boost City’s bid to finish in the top eight and avoid the playoff round.
Maresca praises City’s daily progress
The Italian insisted the record matters less than the standards his players are setting between matches. He said victories remain essential in elite football, but pointed to the squad’s work on the training ground and continued improvement as the biggest source of satisfaction.
Maresca felt City controlled the Ipswich contest, created opportunities and defended well without the ball. “Winning is what this business is about,” he said. “Seven straight wins is very pleasing, but I am especially happy with how the players work every day and the improvement I can see.”
He added that City are in a strong place after their latest league result, with the team’s overall performances carrying as much weight as the points collected.
Champions League test comes next
Maresca also argued that his squad may not always receive enough recognition from outside the club. But he said the players should focus on the assessment of the coaching staff and those inside the dressing room, rather than criticism or judgement from elsewhere.
He stressed that his players know they are valued internally and are receiving the credit they deserve for their form.
Attention now switches quickly to Europe. City welcome AEK Athens at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday in the Champions League league phase, with the home side aiming to carry their domestic momentum into a key continental fixture.
The top eight places in the league-phase table offer direct passage to the next stage, while teams outside those positions face a playoff. City will seek a result against AEK to strengthen their position in that race.
