Fixed v fluid – the opposing approaches of Maresca and Carrick

Maresca redefines freedom, arguing that unrestricted mobility is merely chaos, not true liberty.

“If the freedom for you is that you can move everywhere, that is not freedom, that is chaos,” he told Sky Sports last September.

“[This] freedom? You can act as you wish once you assume a position—true liberty lies elsewhere,” he remarked.

Manchester City’s starting eleven occupies distinct zones on the pitch in their 3‑2‑5 or 3‑1‑3‑3 formations, establishing clear expectations for each player’s placement.

This structured approach grants oponents greater predictability about City’s movements, though it also lets players anticipate every shift with pinpoint efficiency.

After City’s 3‑2‑5 setup prevails, Maresca highlighted that Iliman Ndiaye endured limited training exposure and admitted he “sometimes moved the wrong way into the wrong position” according to City’s game plan.

The benefit of this more rigid style is that, even if adversaries anticipate City’s rhythm, the swift execution of coordinated actions can still overwhelm defensive schemes.

Moreover, defensive organization benefits from reduced spontaneity because tactical solutions are pre‑laid out by the manager and refined through months of repeated practice.

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