After a decade of dominance under Pep Guardiola, Manchester City have recorded their first victory under successor Enzo Maresca. The Blues overcame a K-League All-Stars team on Wednesday in Seoul, providing a promising glimpse into the tactical evolution of the squad.

Dominance in the Heat

Despite stifling temperatures reaching 36 degrees Celsius, City dominated the encounter, registering 22 shots (13 on target) and an expected goals (xG) value of 2.7, compared to the K-League XI's meager 0.4 xG. The victory comes after a previous pre-season setback where City lost on penalties to Inter following a 1-1 draw.

The scoring was shared in the first half, with Rayan Ait-Nouri, Tijjani Reijnders, and Divin Mubama finding the net. Reijnders' effort was highlighted as the goal of the match, finishing first-time following a sophisticated back-heel from Antoine Semenyo—a standout moment amid ongoing reports linking Reijnders with a move to Nottingham Forest.

Maresca's Positive Outlook

Speaking after the match, Enzo Maresca emphasized the progress being made on the training ground and the willingness of the players to embrace his philosophy.

"For us, the result is always important, even if it is a friendly game. But the most important thing is to see the effort of the players, especially in this weather," Maresca told the club's website. "The good thing is the players tried to adapt. They made an effort for 95 minutes."

Maresca expressed confidence that the team's performance will accelerate once their World Cup stars return to the fold. "Since day one, the players are putting in the effort, and I can see that they trust the job we are doing," he added, noting that the arrival of key personnel will only improve the squad's cohesion.

Squad Depth and Next Steps

The line-up featured a blend of established stars and emerging talent, with Phil Foden and Semenyo playing behind the young Mubama. The defense was anchored by Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol, with Gianluigi Donnarumma guarding the goal. Mateo Kovacic and Reijnders controlled the tempo in midfield.

City are still awaiting the return of several key figures, including Erling Haaland, Rodri, Rayan Cherki, Jeremy Doku, Nico O'Reilly, and Elliot Anderson.

The team will conclude their pre-season preparations with a final friendly against Atletico Madrid in Seoul this Sunday, before facing Arsenal in the Community Shield on August 16.