Maresca considers resting Haaland as Manchester City face busy fixture schedule

Enzo Maresca says Manchester City may rotate their squad for the Premier League meeting with Ipswich Town, including giving Erling Haaland a rest as the club manage a demanding run of fixtures.

Manchester City will host Ipswich Town in the seventh round of the Premier League, with the club seeking a seventh consecutive victory.

“We have a lot of matches in a row, so we will try to rotate some players and give them opportunities,” Maresca said at his news conference.

Asked about the prospect of winning all seven of their opening league matches, he said the immediate priority was simply collecting three points.

“I am only focused on winning the matches that could give us seven victories in the first seven rounds, and that is the important thing,” he said. “This kind of record could be useful at the end of the season if it helps us achieve something, but without that it is not important.”

“Our focus tomorrow is, of course, to beat Ipswich Town and manage the players’ minutes, especially after some of them have played several matches for us and for their national teams. That is what matters at the moment.”

Manchester City currently lead the Premier League with 18 points, three clear of Arsenal. Ipswich are 10th on nine points.

Maresca acknowledged the contrast in preparation time between the two sides, saying Ipswich had been able to work throughout the week while City had only 48 hours to prepare.

“It is extremely difficult, but it is an important opportunity to win and move six points clear of the teams behind us,” he said.

The manager also said he was unhappy with the number of goals City had conceded, despite praising the attacking performances that had produced them.

“I do not like conceding goals,” he said. “I would prefer to win 1-0 rather than 5-3, of course. Scoring goals is important because it means we are playing very high up the pitch, but at the same time we have to be more alert defensively and play better.”

Phil Foden is available after a lengthy suspension, although Maresca has not decided whether he will start.

“Phil works day after day. He was suspended for a long time, but he has been training well and has a positive personality,” he said. “He will be with us tomorrow and we will decide then whether he starts or not. There is no doubt that he will contribute something to the team.”

Maresca said rotation could also be necessary for several players who did not receive a break during the international interval.

“At some point we have to give Haaland the chance to rest. We are considering that, but not only him,” he said. “The same applies to all the players who did not rest during the international break, such as Elliot Anderson, Enzo Fernandez, Marc Guehi and Ruben Dias. At some point, they need to rest.”

He also praised Ayoub Bouaddi, saying the midfielder had improved those around him during his appearance against Paris Saint-Germain.

“Ayoub Bouaddi is a fantastic player. When he came on against Paris Saint-Germain, everyone around him improved,” Maresca said. “He is a top-class player.”