Maresca delighted with complete performance at Porto | OneFootball

Enzo Maresca says he was delighted that his players were able to show their personality as City kicked off our 2026/27 Champions League campaign with a 2-0 at FC Porto.

Erling Haaland got both the goals as City became the first side to win at the Estádio do Dragão in 2026.

Despite an intimidating atmosphere, City stopped the home side from having a single shot on target and came close to extending our lead before Haaland’s injury time second.

And the City boss was delighted with the performance in what was his first European encounter in charge of the Blues.

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“It was the complete performance on the ball and off the ball for 95 minutes,” Maresca said.

“We created enough chances to win the game in the first half and their goalkeeper was very good.

“We tried to continue in the second half in the same way.

“It’s game by game. It’s a different competition, different stadium but the most important thing is we show who we are.

“We try to be aggressive off the ball and on the ball try to plan how we can win the game.

“In terms of where we are, I don’t know. I can see game after game, the team is improving.”

It was a physical game with Porto claiming that Marc Guéhi should have been sent off for an accidental elbow on Gabriel Veiga.

There was also a number of incidents from corners and free-kicks and Maresca was happy that his side coped with it.

“[I’m] very pleased,” he added. “We know in these games, when you come here it’s difficult.

“That’s the way they grow up but it’s normal. We dealt with it very good.

“I watch games from the Portuguese league, especially now with Porto and Sporting. I watch different games and you can see the level is very high.

“Porto play very good, Francesco is doing a fantastic job but we managed it and won the game.”