Enzo Maresca has confirmed that five Manchester City first-teamers, including star striker Erling Haaland, are currently on holiday this week. The decision comes immediately after City’s first Premier League defeat of the season, a 2-1 loss to Aston Villa at the weekend. Despite the setback, Manchester City retains the top spot in the table, holding a goal difference advantage over rivals Arsenal following their previous seven-match winning streak.
The Italian boss prioritizes rest ahead of a brutal four-day doubleheader against Brighton.
The immediate challenge for the Blues is a demanding fixture list featuring high-flying Brighton & Hove Albion twice in four days. City faces the Seagulls in a last-16 Carabao Cup clash on Wednesday evening, followed by a Premier League encounter on Saturday afternoon. Maresca intends to rotate his squad significantly for the cup tie, resting key starters to manage fatigue and maintain squad depth for the league title race.
This strategic rotation allows Maresca to grant a quintet of regulars a brief respite from training and travel. By sending these five players on holiday, the manager aims to recharge his core group before the critical weekend clash against Brighton. This move underscores City’s commitment to long-term sustainability, ensuring their best players are fresh for the high-stakes Premier League showdown while testing the squad’s depth in the Carabao Cup.
Source: The Independent Sport
