Enzo Maresca on Fixture Congestion and Manchester Derby

Enzo Maresca brushed off the noise around fixture congestion and rest days with the calm of a man who has already filed it under “football life”.

His Manchester City side walk into Sunday’s Premier League derby with two days’ extra recovery in the bank after a 2-0 win away to Porto on Tuesday in the Champions League. Manchester United, by contrast, were still putting four past Sabah on Thursday night, leaving Michael Carrick with 48 fewer hours to reset and prepare.

On paper, it looks like a small advantage. Maresca was having none of the drama.

“It happens in football”

Asked about the perceived imbalance, the City manager immediately reached for recent history. Last September, before facing Arsenal, City were the ones squeezed by the calendar. The Gunners had played the early kick-off at Athletic Club on the Tuesday; City were stuck with Napoli in the late 20:00 BST slot on the Thursday, then had to go to Emirates Stadium days later.

Back then, Pep Guardiola tried to defuse the tension with a joke about taking his players “hiking in the mountains” to get them ready. This time, Maresca simply leaned on the club’s reminder that the shoe has been on the other foot.

"To be honest, the club mentioned to me that it happened exactly the same last year when the club played Napoli and then, after two days, played Arsenal," he told BBC Sport. "Sometimes it happens in football. I don't have any doubt that Man United are going to be ready for that. It just matters to adapt."

That word kept coming back: adapt.

The new, expanded Champions League format has stretched the calendar, adding two more group-stage games before the end of January. English clubs are also wrestling with the Carabao Cup, which means midweeks are rarely empty.

City host Norwich in the third round next Thursday. United face Brighton at Old Trafford the night before. The treadmill keeps turning.

"I think that happens and you need to adapt," Maresca said, when asked if the schedule eventually evens itself out. "It happened last year with us, this season with them, next season it will happen with a different team."

Pressed on how Carrick might feel about the squeeze, Maresca refused to speak for his opposite number. "That's a question for Michael. The only thing I can say is it happened and you need to adapt."

First taste of the Manchester derby

Beyond the spreadsheets and recovery windows lies the game that really matters to him: his first Manchester derby.

Maresca has started his Premier League life in ruthless fashion. Three games, three wins, maximum points. United, in contrast, have stumbled out of the blocks, taking only four points from their opening three league matches.

"It is very important for different reasons," the Italian said. "We know how important a derby is, especially here. It is a special game."

He has no intention of letting the occasion drag City away from their identity.

"The most important thing we can do is try to be ourselves and then we see the final result."

Extra rest, heavier legs, fixture lists and fairness debates will swirl until kick-off. Maresca has nailed his stance to something simpler: whoever adapts best, on the day, will own Manchester.