Enzo Maresca, newly appointed Manchester City manager, expressed contentment following his debut match at the helm, despite a penalty shootout loss to Inter Milan in a pre-season friendly held in Hong Kong.
The game ended 1-1 in regular time, with Inter Milan clinching the win 3-1 on penalties thanks to Matteo Lavelli's decisive spot-kick. This match marked Maresca's first since succeeding Pep Guardiola, who departed after a decade of unprecedented success.
Match Highlights
- Manchester City took an early lead in the 14th minute when Antoine Semenyo's cross found Divin Mubama, who scored from close range.
- Inter Milan quickly responded with Benjamin Pavard equalizing following a defensive lapse by City.
- Both teams created notable chances in the second half, with City's Vitor Reis hitting the crossbar and Ryan McAidoo striking the post.
Maresca acknowledged areas for improvement, particularly in pressing tactics during the first half, but noted adjustments made at halftime improved the team's performance in the latter stages.
Looking Ahead
The match drew nearly 43,000 spectators to Hong Kong's Kai Tak Stadium, though some seats remained empty. Notably, key players Erling Haaland and Rodri did not participate and will also miss upcoming fixtures in Seoul against a K League all-star team and Atletico Madrid.
Manchester City will face Arsenal in the Community Shield on August 16 before starting the Premier League season against Bournemouth a week later. Meanwhile, Inter Milan continue their pre-season with matches against AC Milan and Juventus ahead of their Serie A campaign.
