Man City vs Bournemouth LIVE: Enzo Maresca takes charge of first Premier League game as campaign begins | OneFootball

(Reuters)

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.

Maresca: 'We are trying to find a solution'

“It's a big emotion, a nice feeling, a very nice feeling. It's the first game at home in front of our fans, so hopefully we can give them the three points,” says Enzo Maresca on Sky.

"We are trying to find a solution [to not having Doku]. We are still in the early stages of the season, so we need a solution. I need to see different things.

“Today we're going to try to, first of all, win the game, that is the most important thing, and also to see a different solution.

“We are happy with Elliot, but for sure, as we know, Rodri is a big player, but he's already gone, so now the focus is on the ones that are here with us and the ones that will probably arrive.

“I joined the club one month ago, we are trying to work and find a new solution. Again, I don't have any doubt that we're going to be better and better and better, but at the same moment we need to compete and try to win games.

“It's a team [Bournemouth] that was already aggressive in the past. They still are very aggressive and we need to be ready. We need to do exactly the same when they have the ball. We need to try to be aggressive, win the ball back as soon as possible and try to do our game,” he added.

Rose: 'We want to see our principles'

“We know that we face a tough opposition, but we want to see our principles,” says Marco Rose ahead of kick-off on Sky.

“Be front-footed, you just need to find the right triggers, and then we’ll have to defend in general as a team.

“We didn’t speak about it [Haaland] because we have to defend so many players. They’re a top team. We need high intensity, that’s what we spoke about mostly,” he adds as he finished.

Another season to remember for Bournemouth?

Naturally, there will be plenty of eyes on City this afternoon as they face their first game in 10 years without Pep Guardiola at the helm, but today’s visitors are also set for a fascinating campaign.

Last season was one to remember for the Cherries as they finished sixth to secure a spot in the Europa League, marking their first ever appearance in European competition.

New manager Marco Rose arrives with plenty of experience – including a stint at Borussia Dortmund – and while there have been notable exits (including Andoni Iraola and Marco Senesi) hopes remain high on the south coast.

There’ll be twists and turns as the Cherries adjust to the dual demands of domestic and European football, but it feels like it’ll be another season to remember at the Vitality.

(Getty)

Chris Wilson23 August 2026 13:36