Manchester City begin the Enzo Maresca era as they face Bournemouth in their opening game of the new Premier League season.
City fell to a disappointing 3-0 defeat to Arsenal in the Community Shield last week but hopes remain high at the Etihad, with Maresca’s side expected to challenge for the league once again this term.
However, the loss of players such as Rodri and Bernardo Silva has left the squad light in some areas, with City looking to add notable reinforcements in the last week or so of the transfer window.
Marco Rose is another manager who will be taking charge of his new side for the first time in a competitive fixture this weekend, and there may be a chance for the Cherries to get off to the perfect start this weekend against an unsettled City side.
Follow all the latest build-up, team news and updates from the Etihad below:
Match stats
City have won all nine of their Premier League home games against Bournemouth by an aggregate score of 34-6.
In addition, the Cityzens have won their opening game in 14 of the last 15 seasons, with the only loss coming in 2021/22 against Spurs.
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The Palmeiras player has a €100m release clause in his contract, though City could look to secure him for a lower fee.
They have begun their search for further forwards as they are in talks with Tottenham to sell Savinho and Omar Marmoush in a double deal that could bring them in well over £100m.
Maresca says City’s aim is to compete
Enzo Maresca spoke about what the aim is for Man City this season.
“At the beginning of the season you don’t set targets in terms of trophies,” he said.
“The target since day one has been quite clear with the club and the players, it’s to compete. You arrive in March and April to be there and then we will see what happens.”
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Expect goals for the hosts
Manchester City have won all nine of their Premier League home games against Bournemouth by an aggregate score of 34-6.
They have scored an average 3.8 goals per game when hosting the Cherries in the competition which is their highest average against any opponent on home soil.
Silva handed debut
For Bournemouth, new boss Marco Rose hands a debut to Antonio Silva who joined the club in the summer.
Alex Scott also starts in midfield despite being linked with moves to other Premier League clubs including Man City.
Marmoush included in squad, Maresca starts six defenders
It’s an intriguing team that Enzo Maresca has selected for Man City.
There are only two changes to the line-up that lost 3-0 to Arsenal in the Community Shield as Jeremy Doku and Mateo Kovacic drop out.
However, Maresca has named six defenders in the team meaning Rico Lewis and Nico O’Reilly are likely to play in midfield alongside Elliot Anderson.
Marc Guehi is back in the team as well and partners Ruben Dias at centre-back.
Additionally, Omar Marmoush is named on the bench amid interest from Tottenham in signing him.
Bournemouth line-up to take on Man City
And here’s the first Bournemouth line-up named by boss Marco Rose:
Bournemouth XI: Petrovic, Smith, Silva, Hill, Truffert, Scott, Cook, Tavernier, Kluivert, Rayan, Evanilson.
Manchester City line-up to face Bournemouth
Enzo Marseca has named his first Man City line-up for this year’s Premier League campaign.
Here’s how it looks:
Man City XI: Donnarumma; Khunsanov, Dias, Guehi, Gvardiol; Lewis, Anderson, O’Reilly; Semenyo, Foden, Haaland
Man City dealt injury blow with key player to miss opening weeks of new season
Jeremy Doku will miss Manchester City’s Premier League opener against Bournemouth due to a calf injury, manager Enzo Maresca has confirmed.
The Belgium international sustained the problem during the first half of City’s Community Shield defeat to Arsenal last weekend.
The 24-year-old faces up to three weeks on the sidelines, although Maresca otherwise has a fully-fit squad for Sunday’s visit of the Cherries.
