Enzo Maresca has issued a stark warning to his Manchester City squad, insisting that an over-reliance on Erling Haaland is unsustainable following consecutive Premier League defeats. The Norwegian striker was held scoreless in Saturday’s 1-0 loss at Brighton, a result that directly handed the league lead to Arsenal after they defeated Liverpool the following day. Maresca emphasized that while Haaland’s presence elevates the team’s attacking threat, the current form demands a broader contribution from the rest of the roster.
Manager urges squad to share scoring burden as Arsenal seize top spot
The tactical imperative for City is clear after dropping six points in their last two league fixtures, including a 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa prior to the Brighton loss. Maresca acknowledged the structural advantage of having a prolific finisher like Haaland on the pitch, noting that his positioning naturally draws defenders and creates space. However, the manager stressed that creating chances is insufficient if only one player is converting them, highlighting the need for secondary scorers to step up during this critical phase of the season.
As the title race tightens, Maresca’s comments signal a strategic shift in focus toward collective attacking output. With Arsenal now sitting atop the table, City must immediately diversify their goal-scoring sources to maintain pressure. The manager’s directive is clear: while Haaland remains the focal point of the attack, the burden of production must be shared to ensure consistency and resilience against top-tier opposition in the coming weeks.
Source: The Independent Sport
