Brighton will provide another major test for Manchester City this weekend, just days after Enzo Maresca’s side needed penalties to beat the Seagulls in the League Cup.
City and Brighton meet again at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday, this time in the Premier League, following Wednesday’s 2-2 cup draw that was eventually decided in a shootout.
Also Read
Brighton arrive in strong form
Maresca expects a difficult match against a side he believes is playing with confidence and attacking intent.
The City manager pointed to Brighton’s recent scoring form and said their aggressive approach has been evident throughout the season.
Both teams made extensive changes for the League Cup meeting, but stronger line-ups are expected for the league fixture.
Manchester City currently sit top of the Premier League level on points with Arsenal, while Brighton are five points behind in third place.
Brighton pushed City to penalties
Wednesday’s cup tie underlined how competitive the weekend meeting could be.
Brighton opened the scoring through Malick Yalcouye before Mateo Kovacic brought City level.
Georginio Rutter then restored the visitors’ lead shortly after half-time, but Vitor Reis equalised for City later in the second half.
The match went to penalties, where City goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli saved spot-kicks from Yasin Ayari and Lewis Dunk to secure a place in the quarter-finals.
Maresca keeps focus on results
City’s season is also unfolding amid an appeal against a finding that the club breached more than 100 Premier League financial rules.
The club denies wrongdoing and no punishment has yet been announced.
Maresca, however, has said his focus remains on football matters as City continue adapting to a new era following Pep Guardiola’s departure.
The manager said the team’s objective remains simple: keep winning matches and continue developing under the new project.
Brighton rematch could shape title race
With City chasing another strong league campaign and Brighton sitting close to the leading pack, Saturday’s fixture could prove important in the early title race.
The cup meeting showed that Brighton can trouble City, while Maresca’s side demonstrated the resilience needed to recover twice and eventually progress.
