Quick verdict: Manchester City and Tottenham are now coached by two of the most possession-minded managers in Europe. Enzo Maresca, Pep Guardiola's former assistant, wants control through structure; Roberto De Zerbi wants to lure the press towards his own goal and then play through it. The side that wins the first pass of each attack usually wins this matchup.
Maresca succeeded Guardiola at City in June 2026 after two seasons at Chelsea, where he won the Conference League and the Club World Cup in 2025. De Zerbi took over at Tottenham in spring 2026, having made his name at Sassuolo, Shakhtar Donetsk, Brighton and Marseille. Both coaches believe in building from the back; they just do it in different ways.
1. Maresca: Control Through Positions
Maresca's teams build patiently with a full-back or midfielder stepping inside to create a 3-2 base, then look for players between the lines. The goal is to move the opponent until a gap appears, not to force the ball forward early.
At City he has a natural focal point in Erling Haaland, which changes the end product: patient circulation can finish with a quick ball into the box for a striker who needs only a half-chance.
2. De Zerbi: Inviting the Press
De Zerbi's signature is 'baiting'. His goalkeeper and centre-backs hold the ball deliberately, sometimes with a foot on it, to draw opposing forwards forward. Once the press commits, a quick combination releases a free midfielder and the attack suddenly has space.
It is a high-risk, high-reward method. When it works, it turns the opponent's aggression into an advantage; when it fails, the ball is lost close to goal.
3. The Key Battle: How Hard to Press
- City's dilemma: press Spurs high and risk being played through, or sit off and let De Zerbi's side settle into possession.
- Spurs' dilemma: City are comfortable keeping the ball for long spells, so Tottenham may have fewer chances to bait a press than against more aggressive teams.
- Transitions: with both teams committing players to build-up, any turnover in midfield can produce an immediate chance.
Because both coaches arrived recently, expect their sides to keep evolving through the season. Watch which team is willing to change its natural approach first.
Further reading
Frequently Asked Questions
Who manages Manchester City and Tottenham in 2026/27?
Enzo Maresca has managed Manchester City since June 2026, and Roberto De Zerbi has been Tottenham's head coach since spring 2026.
What does 'baiting the press' mean?
It means holding the ball deliberately near your own goal to draw opponents forward, then playing quickly through the gaps they leave behind. Roberto De Zerbi's teams are known for it.