Enzo Maresca, 46, newly appointed manager of English Premier League powerhouse Manchester City, expressed high expectations for the two preseason friendly matches in Seoul.

Arriving in Seoul this evening, August 4, along with the squad, Manager Maresca immediately attended a press conference at the Four Seasons Hotel in Jongno-gu, Seoul.

Manchester City will play its first Coupang Play Series match against Team K League at 8:00 p.m. tomorrow at Seoul World Cup Stadium.

This will be followed by a match against Spain's Atletico Madrid at the same venue at 8:00 p.m. on the 9th.

After playing its first preseason match against Inter Milan in Hong Kong, Manchester City is now set for two consecutive games in Seoul.

For Manager Maresca, this serves as a great opportunity to shape his plans for the new season.

Both matches are important to us, he said, adding that regardless of the opponent, the key is to see how much the team improves with each game.

He also noted that while winning is ultimately the goal, at this stage, it is more important to see how each player develops.

With many star players who heavy workloads at the 2026 North and Central America World Cup omitted from the touring squad, young prospects are drawing attention.

Asked to name a player Korean fans should watch out for, Manager Maresca mentioned 18-year-old forward Ryan McAidoo.

Macaidoo showed remarkably high-level skills in the match against Inter Milan, Maresca said, adding that he suffered a minor shoulder injury, though not serious, making him unlikely to play tomorrow.

Manager Maresca, who has deep ties with Manchester City, took the helm last June as the successor to legendary manager Pep Guardiola.

Having previously led Manchester City's youth team to victory in the Under-23 Premier League 2 during the 2020-2021 season, Maresca also served as a coach assisting Guardiola in the 2022-2023 season.

After subsequently leading Leicester City to promotion to the Premier League, he took charge of Chelsea in June 2024 before parting ways unexpectedly this January.

This was because communications regarding his appointment as Manchester City's next manager had already been underway since that time.

Following Maresca at the press conference, Manchester City forward Phil Foden was asked about his upcoming match against Lee Kang-in, who joined Atletico Madrid, and said, I haven't looked into Lee Kang-in much, but I wish him nothing but success.

(Photo: Yonhap News)