Manchester City to rotate squad for Brighton cup clash, says Maresca

Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca has confirmed that Geronimo Rulli will start Wednesday’s Carabao Cup fourth-round match against Brighton, with the team set to make changes during a busy run of fixtures.

The Argentine goalkeeper is in line for only his second appearance for City. Maresca said Rulli had impressed both in matches and through his work away from the pitch since the manager arrived.

“He’s good. Before I arrived here, I had a conversation with him, he knows his role and that’s important,” Maresca said.

“Day by day he is helping a lot. When he has played, he was good and tomorrow he will play again.”

City are responding to a demanding schedule after losing 2-1 to Aston Villa in the Premier League last weekend. Maresca said five senior players had been given three days away from the club to recover before the Brighton tie.

“After Villa, we gave five players three days off. Erling, Elliot, Gigio, Ruben and Josko. Go away on holiday. Three days off, go, come back. Full energy,” he said.

The players named were Erling Haaland, Elliot Anderson, Gianluigi Donnarumma, captain Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol.

The Carabao Cup match at Brighton is followed by another meeting between the sides at the Etihad Stadium in the Premier League on Saturday. Maresca acknowledged that the close proximity of the two fixtures meant alterations to his starting line-up were unavoidable.

“In terms of how we plan, they (the games) are so close so we need to make some changes,” he said. “We have one more session and then we decide for tomorrow.”

Brighton offer a major test

Brighton head to Manchester in strong form and have been praised for their attacking approach. They have scored more goals than any other side in the Premier League this season.

Fabian Hurzeler’s team also demonstrated their resilience in the previous round of the Carabao Cup, overturning a two-goal deficit to defeat Manchester United 3-2 at Old Trafford.

Maresca expects Brighton to pose a significant threat in both meetings, particularly because of the way they commit players forward when they have possession.

“First of all, they are doing very well so both games will be tough,” he said.

“They are very brave, aggressive and when they have the ball they attack with so many players. They create so many chances.”

City must maintain their focus in both attack and defence if they are to reach the Carabao Cup quarter-finals.

“We need to do the right things offensively and defensively,” Maresca added.