Maresca also noted that despite playing a good side like Porto, his team “didn’t concede a lot” throughout the European clash.
By Kehinde Okeowo
Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca and forward Erling Haaland have both applauded the performance of the City players after their 2-0 win over Portuguese side Porto in their UEFA Champions League opener on Tuesday night.
The duo hailed the Premier League team while speaking with Amazon Prime after the intriguing away encounter.
Porto goalkeeper Diogo Costa had an inspired first half, twice denying Haaland with superb reflex saves, while also keeping out efforts from Antoine Semenyo and Phil Foden.
However, Manchester City overcame FC Porto at the Estádio do Dragão in the second half thanks to the Norwegian international’s brace.
Speaking after the match, Maresca noted that his team could have scored more and deserved the win.
He added that despite playing a good side, his players “didn’t concede a lot” throughout the European clash.
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He said: “I think we could’ve scored more goals, especially in the first half, but overall I think we deserved to win the game.
”We created enough chances to win the game. We didn’t concede a lot. It’s normal to come here and concede some chances because it’s normal, so overall, I’m happy with the performance.
”I think I am lucky because all the squad are good players. For a manager, it is easy because you can give minutes to all of them, and tonight I think the guys that were inside were very good.”
Similarly, Man City striker Haaland praised the team for performing well against a difficult side like Porto.
”It was a difficult fight, man against man. They are a top team. Honestly, they are impressive,” he said.
Haaland added: “I think honestly we controlled the first half. A bit uncomfortable when they came a bit high, but we created a lot of chances. I could easily have had a lot more goals, but second half we scored, and they pushed us for a good 25 minutes, but again we managed to hold through and then finish the game.
”I think these are the games that we have to win, and we have had a great start to the season. In the Champions League you have to win games because, if not, you suddenly get all the pressure, and then you never know what’s going to happen.”
