By
Tasnim Chowdhury
BBC Sport journalist
- Published31 minutes ago
Manchester City boss Enzo Maresca has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game againstBrightonat Etihad Stadium (kick-off 15:00 GMT).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
Forward Antoine Semenyo, who is out with an injury, is "good" and completing recovery and therapy sessions, but it is "too early" to discuss his return.
Maresca said playmaker Rayan Cherki can be a leader at the club but added: "It is important that all the players step up in these kinds of things." He also said Cherki and Phil Foden can "play together for sure" and that is "one more weapon for us".
Maresca spoke about the pressure on goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma: "It's quite like this in terms of all the players, they make mistakes at some point of the season. Sometimes it costs points, sometimes not because we are lucky."
Reflecting on his four months in charge, the Italian said his side are "going in the right direction". He added that "it always takes time to compete again" after changing manager after so many years, as well as players, adding: "The good thing about the club is that, in this moment, we are competing in all the competitions. We continue in the same way."
On whether the concept of 'big six' still exists: "Every season you can have one or two surprises there [a different team in the top six]. The level now is so similar that you can drop points against any team and you can win against any team. It's very good for the Premier League. That's probably why so many people love the Premier League - because you never know."
On what makes Brighton difficult opponents: "What they are doing - they are doing very good. On the ball and off the ball they are very aggressive [and they are] man-to-man oriented in all the games. They attack very well with so many players - full-back, wingers, attacking midfielders. They score many goals and create many chances against any team. It's going to be a tough game. Where they can be at the end of the season, I don't know."
Hit play above to hear more from Maresca orlisten on BBC Sounds here
Listen to full commentary of Man City v Brighton on Saturday onBBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Sounds
