Enzo Maresca ignores Man City star again in Champions League game, and fans say he ‘doesn’t like’ him
Fans are pretty sure Enzo Maresca has already made up his mind about Rayan Ait-Nouri after Tuesday night’s win against Porto.
City won 2-0 in a rainy game at the Estadio do Dragao, with Erling Haaland scoring his first Champions League goal of the season.
Maresca made some changes to the starting lineup ahead of the Manchester derby, but Ait-Nouri stayed on the bench and didn’t get to play. Josko Gvardiol, who was playing left-back, got a yellow card in the first half and was taken off shortly after the break.
Instead of bringing on Ait-Nouri, Maresca chose Abdukodir Khusanov, even though he isn’t used to playing left-back. This wasn’t the first time Ait-Nouri was left out, and fans think Maresca doesn’t really trust the Algerian.
He did come on late as a left winger, but it seems Maresca isn’t ready to give him a longer run in the team.
One fan on X said, “Khusanov is playing LEFT BACK over Ait Nouri. Yeah, Enzo Maresca absolutely hates him doesn’t he.” Another wrote, “Maresca would rather play Khusanov LB than Ait Nouri. This is humiliating.” A third commented, “Feel bad for Ait Nouri, man. Maresca just doesn’t rate him.” And another added, “Ait Nouri is the only other LB option… yet Kushanov comes on instead – weird choice.”
It seems Ait-Nouri might not be the lead left-back option, as in a comfortable win against Crystal Palace, Maresca gave Kayden Braithwaite his debut at Selhurst Park instead.
Ait-Nouri, who used to play for Wolves and was even linked with a surprise loan move to Manchester United, finally got some minutes in Porto. He missed a chance to make it 2-0 with a shot that went wide but later helped set up the second goal scored by England during stoppage time.
Still, it looks like Maresca isn’t really counting on him, and clips on social media showed Ait-Nouri looking pretty down after their narrow 1-0 win over Coventry City.
That said, Ait-Nouri isn’t just focused on left-back. He recently said in an interview that he’s happy to play wherever the manager needs, “even if I need to play goalkeeper!” He wants to show what he can do and help the team however he can.
City are back in action on Sunday when they travel to Old Trafford to face their rivals Manchester United in the first derby of the season. After losing the Community Shield to Arsenal, City have won every game so far this season.