Teams

Maresca: After the loss to PSG, we came back to life

22 October 2026·4 min read·Sara Ortega
Maresca: After the loss to PSG, we came back to life

Enzo Maresca celebrates after Manchester City's 5-1 win over AEK Athens in the Champions League, featuring Phil Foden's hat-trick and the team's solid response after the defeat against PSG.

Maresca: After the loss to PSG, we came back to life

According to Varzesh3.

Why it matters

Manchester City's victory against AEK Athens is important not only for their morale but also for their UEFA Champions League campaign. After the loss to PSG, this win gave the team new energy and confidence, which is important for their season outlook. Phil Foden's excellent performance, who contributed a hat-trick, proved the depth of their squad and their ability to bounce back from defeats.

Key Points

  • Maresca: After the loss to PSG, we came back to life.
  • Enzo Maresca praised Manchester City's 5-1 win over AEK Athens, highlighting the team's return to confidence after the loss to PSG and Phil Foden's hat-trick.
  • марска: بعد از باخت به پی‌اس‌جی دربور زیندا شامید | سرة سه.
Manchester City produced a strong response in the UEFA Champions League as they hammered AEK Athens 5-1 with five goals to end their run of European games on home soil. Phil Foden's hat-trick was the highlight of City's victory, while Elliot Anderson and Rayan Cherki also helped the record. AEK's only answer came from Stavros Pilios. After the match, Enzo Maresca's message was clear: his team revived after the painful loss to Paris Saint‑Germain. According to the coach, City put on a complete display—from aggressive attack to control in the middle—although he admitted that the defense still needs to tighten up against quick counterattacks like the one that resulted in the visitor's only goal. "It's been a long week after PSG, but here we are back in tune," said Maresca in assessing the performance. He stressed that they had two important matches between that defeat—including the one against Ipswich and the final against AEK—both of which had to be won, and his players did the job.
Image
Up front, City were on fire: they pierced the defense five times and, according to Maresca, it could have been more if the finishing had been sharper in some situations. The coach also highlighted players who haven't gotten much minutes in recent weeks but are ready to step up when called upon—a sign he said of the depth and culture of competition within the group. "It's best for a coach when you rotate, but the team's level of movement remains high," he added. The highlight of the night was Phil Foden, who once again proved his European form with a clean hat-trick. For Maresca, this is good news not only for the player but for City as a whole: the more weapons to choose from in attack, the harder it is for opponents to read. Maresca added that three academy products got their first senior team minutes tonight—a positive sign for the club's developmental pipeline. Maresca also had a quick update on Joško Gvardiol's condition after noting that he had some discomfort in the warm‑up. There were no serious issues, Gvardiol was able to play and was in good condition after the match. In the wider context, this kind of win is very important for City: it's not just a point in the group, but a confidence boost after a tough challenge against PSG. It also cements the team's aim to fix home form in Europe—an aspect they underlined tonight by dominating AEK. While the competition is still long, it is clear from the enthusiasm and dance shown by City that they are ready to join the Champions League stage, and carry the message that they have risen from their knees.

What's next

In the next matches, Manchester City is expected to continue their good run in the Premier League and UEFA Champions League. The next matches, including the match against Ipswich, will be important to maintain the team's momentum and confidence. Players who don't play often have shown their ability, providing deeper options for Enzo Maresca in the next matches.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the score of the match between Man City and AEK Athens?

The match ended with a score of 5-1 in favor of Manchester City.

What is the effect of Man City's win on their standings in the UEFA Champions League?

The win helped Manchester City bounce back from their defeat at PSG and boosted their morale in the competition.

Who scored the goals par a to Man City in this match?

Phil Foden contributed a hat-trick, while Elliot Anderson and Rayan Cherki added another goal.

When is Man City's next match after the match against AEK Athens?

Manchester City's next match is against Ipswich, which is one of the important matches they need to win.

What did Enzo Maresca say about his team's performance?

Enzo Maresca said his team showed a complete performance and came back to life after the loss to PSG.

Related News

Related News

Mga Madalas na Itanong

What was the score of the match between Man City and AEK Athens?
The match ended with a score of 5-1 in favor of Manchester City.
What effect does Man City's win have on their UEFA Champions League standings?
The win helped Manchester City bounce back from their defeat at PSG and boosted their morale in the competition.
Who scored the goals for Man City in this match?
Phil Foden contributed a hat-trick, while Elliot Anderson and Rayan Cherki added another goal.
When is Man City's next match after the match against AEK Athens?
Manchester City's next match is against Ipswich, which is one of the important matches they need to win.
What did Enzo Maresca say about his team's performance?
Enzo Maresca said his team showed a complete performance and came back to life after the loss to PSG.
What is the next fixture to watch?
Fans should follow the involved clubs' upcoming schedules as coaches react to this result in their preparation.
TeamsUEFA Champions LeaguePremier LeagueManchester CityAEK AthensPhil FodenElliot AndersonRayan CherkiJoško GvardiolStavros Pilios

Related Articles