Maresca promises Haaland rest as Manchester City prepare for Porto

Enzo Maresca has said Erling Haaland will be rested at some point, according to the Guardian, with an absence against Porto still unconfirmed. Manchester City visit Porto on Tuesday for their opening Champions League league-phase game, bringing the striker’s workload and the attacking alternatives into focus.

Haaland’s workload and possible rest

The Guardian reports that Haaland has played every competitive minute of City’s campaign so far. He has scored three goals in their opening three Premier League victories and was also part of the Norway team that reached the World Cup quarter-finals.

Those details give the rest discussion two relevant strands: his uninterrupted involvement for City this campaign and his international commitments.

On the possible duration of a break, Maresca said, as quoted by the Guardian: “It can be one game out or one week away.” His comments on managing players also addressed fatigue: “When you see them tired the risk of injury increases, and we need players who are 100%.”

Semenyo, Foden and Cherki among the alternatives

If Haaland is rested against Porto, the Guardian identifies selecting Antoine Semenyo at centre-forward, or fielding Phil Foden or Rayan Cherki as a false 9, as Maresca’s options.

On Cherki’s ability to influence the game, Maresca said, as quoted by the Guardian: “There is always a gameplan and Rayan can drop a little bit to manage the tempo and the game.”

In tactical terms, that ability adds a question of role to the choice of personnel: Cherki’s capacity to influence the game from deeper positions is relevant to the false-nine option identified by the Guardian.

Porto’s form and City’s availability updates

Porto have taken the maximum 15 points from their opening five Primeira Liga matches, the Guardian reports. Maresca also highlighted their set pieces, saying, as quoted by the publication: “I know that Porto is very good in set pieces.”

Elsewhere in City’s team news, Maresca said Nico O’Reilly would “probably” be available after missing the Coventry game with a late fitness problem. The manager was “not sure” about Jérémy Doku’s availability after injury, according to the same report.