Teams need to adapt to fixture scheduling - Maresca
September 11, 2026 10:55
Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca said teams must adjust to fixture scheduling as City prepare for Sunday’s Manchester derby with two extra days’ rest compared with Manchester United. City played and won 2-0 at Porto on Tuesday, while United’s 4-0 win over Sabah came 48 hours later, leaving them with less recovery and preparation time.
Maresca pointed out a comparable situation from last September when City had less turnaround than Arsenal after a midweek Champions League game, and he noted clubs sometimes raise the same issue. He declined to speculate on how United caretaker Michael Carrick is feeling about the schedule, saying that was a question for Carrick.
KEY CONTEXT
- The Champions League’s expanded format adds two extra group-stage matches before the end of January, increasing fixture load for clubs involved.
- English teams also juggle domestic cup commitments; City are scheduled to host Norwich in the Carabao Cup third round next Thursday, while United play Brighton at Old Trafford the day before.
- Maresca is preparing for his first Manchester derby as City manager; City have won all three of their opening Premier League games this season, while United have collected four points from their first three.
WHY IT MATTERS
Fixture timing and turnaround influence recovery, training and match preparation — factors managers must manage over a congested schedule. In a high-stakes fixture like the Manchester derby, those marginal differences in rest can become talking points and potentially affect team selection or tactics. Maresca’s comments underline how clubs are being forced to adapt to a busier calendar driven by European and domestic cup commitments.
WHAT TO WATCH NEXT
- Sunday’s Manchester derby will show how the differing recovery times play out on the pitch.
- How both managers handle squad rotation and preparation for the derby, given their upcoming cup fixtures (City v Norwich on Thursday; United v Brighton the day before).
- Whether scheduling complaints persist or are raised again by clubs — Maresca suggested the pattern can repeat with different teams across seasons.
KEY FACTS
- City beat Porto 2-0 on Tuesday; United beat Sabah 4-0 48 hours later.
- Maresca said teams “need to adapt” to scheduling.
- Champions League expansion adds two extra group games before the end of January.
- City host Norwich in the Carabao Cup third round; United play Brighton the day before.
- Maresca is in charge of his first Manchester derby; City have three wins from three league games, United have four points from three.