Enzo Maresca's Premier League Debut with Manchester City vs Bournemouth

Enzo Maresca steps into the Premier League spotlight on Sunday afternoon, taking charge of Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium for the first time as Bournemouth arrive to test the champions’ new era.

He follows a giant. Pep Guardiola’s decade brought six league titles and a Champions League crown, a spell of dominance that reshaped English football. Maresca’s first taste of competitive action, the Community Shield defeat to Arsenal, was a jolt rather than a celebration. This, though, is where the real judgement begins.

City’s early injury blows and selection calls

Maresca’s plans on the flanks have already been disrupted. Jeremy Doku, so often City’s chaos agent out wide, aggravated a calf problem in that defeat to Arsenal and will be missing for the next two to three weeks. His absence strips City of one of their purest dribblers at a time when the new manager is trying to stamp his attacking patterns on the side.

Savinho will not be involved either, with a move to Tottenham Hotspur progressing, and Omar Marmoush is expected to follow him out of the matchday picture if his own switch to north London is completed in time. Two wide options, effectively gone before Maresca has even named his first league XI.

The reshuffle hands an opportunity to Jack Grealish. The England international replaced Doku at Wembley and is set to start off the left again, tasked with offering control, fouls won high up the pitch and a steady supply line into Erling Haaland. On the opposite flank, Antoine Semenyo, signed from Bournemouth in January, is poised to face his former club, adding a little extra edge to the touchline duels.

Matheus Nunes returns to the fold after missing the Community Shield with a minor muscle issue and could be dropped straight in at right-back, a role he filled at times in pre-season. That would likely see Abdukodir Khusanov make way, with Maresca leaning on Nunes’ comfort on the ball to help City build from deep.

New faces, familiar focal point

The heart of City’s midfield carries a different feel. Elliot Anderson, a major summer investment, is expected to continue alongside Mateo Kovačić in the double pivot. It is a partnership the club hopes will grow into one of the defining features of Maresca’s reign, blending Anderson’s energy and forward thrust with Kovačić’s press resistance and passing range.

Ahead of them, Phil Foden is set to keep the central role behind Haaland, where his ability to find pockets of space between the lines can unpick deep defences. Semenyo and Grealish will stretch the pitch either side of him, giving City a front four that can rotate but still funnel everything towards the Norwegian.

Haaland remains the constant. The numbers are brutal: seven goals in his last four Premier League opening weekends, 22 in just 14 career appearances in August. Whatever the tactical tweaks, whatever the upheaval in personnel, City know they have a striker who tends to start seasons at full tilt.

Behind them, Gianluigi Donnarumma continues in goal, protected by a back four of Nunes, Rúben Dias, Joško Gvardiol and Nico O’Reilly. It is a blend of established authority and emerging talent, and another sign that Maresca is not afraid to trust younger players in key positions.

Predicted Manchester City XI vs Bournemouth

Manchester City possible starting XI (4-2-3-1): Donnarumma; Nunes, Dias, Gvardiol, O’Reilly; Anderson, Kovačić; Semenyo, Foden, Grealish; Haaland.

Kick-off time and TV details

The Premier League clash at the Etihad Stadium kicks off at 14:00 BST on Sunday, 23 August 2026.

In the UK, the match will be shown live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League.

A new manager, a familiar stage, and a striker who loves August. Bournemouth walk into a stadium used to statement wins on opening weekends. Maresca now has to deliver one of his own.