Maresca warns City as Brighton visits again
Enzo Maresca has warned his Manchester City team to expect another difficult day when it faces Brighton and Hove Albion at Etihad Stadium this weekend.
City and Brighton lock horns once again just three days after their fourth-round clash in the Carabao Cup, with the defending champion going through after a 4-3 penalty shootout win.
The Citizens had to come from behind twice to level the scores at 2-2, with Mateo Kovacic and Vitor Reis scoring the equalisers to send the tie to spot-kicks.
Geronimo Rulli came up trumps for Maresca's side, saving Yasin Ayari and Lewis Dunk's efforts from 12 yards out, with Bradford City drawn as its opponent in the quarter-finals.
But City now turns its attention to the Premier League, and will be hoping to return to winning ways after suffering a first league defeat of the season to Aston Villa last weekend.
It comes up against a Brighton side which lost 2-0 to Liverpool last time out, but this promises to be an entertaining clash, with just five points separating the two teams.
Brighton has scored more goals than any other side in the Premier League this season with 23, while City.
"What I can say is what I see from there. They are a bit different in terms of style," Maresca said of the challenges Brighton may pose his team.
"They are much more man-to-man oriented. The reason it is so difficult to play against them, it is always on the front foot. They score three, four, five goals.
"That is why you need the right balance. We knew it was a difficult test for us. Again, this is what he said [City were lucky].
"Every manager can say something different. We try to prepare for the game knowing what they will do.
"It's going to be a tough game for anyone who comes against them. No matter if they play in a different competition or in the Premier League."
Brighton has never won in 16 away league games against City, losing 12 of those, but it has avoided defeat in its past two visits.
Fabian Hurzeler's side has already produced some impressive results so far this season, most notably beating Premier League champion Arsenal 3-0 last month.
Brighton has been tipped to challenge for a spot in the top four after its electric start, with Maresca saying: "It's early for all the clubs to make predictions. They are very good.
"It's a team that, in any game, they score many goals and creates many chances. It's going to be tough. Where they will be at the end of the season, I don't know."
