Man City Beats Bournemouth 2-1 as Maresca Flags Squad Gaps

MANCHESTER, England —

Manchester City opened the Premier League season with a 2-1 comeback win over Bournemouth on Sunday at Etihad Stadium, but the way new manager Enzo Maresca set up his team told its own story about what the club is missing.

With central midfielders Rodri and Tijjani Reijnders gone from the club this week, along with longtime winger Bernardo Silva, Maresca started center back Marc Guéhi in midfield alongside summer signing Elliot Anderson and Nico O'Reilly, a player Maresca has said himself is a left back, according to ESPN. Even Guéhi said he was "surprised" by the assignment, ESPN reported.

A Makeshift Midfield Holds On

City looked slow and disjointed for long stretches, and Marcus Tavernier gave Bournemouth a first-half lead, according to the Guardian. The game turned only after substitute Rayan Cherki came on and set up two late goals, Guéhi's equalizer in the 85th minute and Josko Gvardiol's winner in the 91st, the Guardian reported.

Maresca called his team "a work in progress" after the match, saying he does not yet have an ideal starting 11, according to the Guardian. Asked specifically about playing Guéhi out of position, he described it as "a solution," ESPN reported. Maresca added that City still have several players, including Erling Haaland, Anderson, Guéhi and O'Reilly, who are effectively still working through preseason conditioning, according to the Guardian.

Bournemouth manager Marco Rose, in his own first match in charge after replacing Andoni Iraola, said his team lost the game on "details," pointing to a corner kick and a defensive lapse that led to City's goals, according to the Guardian.

More Signings on the Way

City agreed Sunday to pay Lille up to $116.8 million (100 million euros) for 18-year-old Morocco midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi, according to Channel NewsAsia, which reported the deal includes a $110.9 million (95 million euro) base fee plus add-ons. Bouaddi, primarily a defensive midfielder, made 30 league appearances for Lille last season and started five matches for Morocco at the World Cup, Channel NewsAsia reported. He is expected in Manchester on Monday, according to ESPN.

The move follows City's earlier deal to sign Anderson from Nottingham Forest for a reported $158.18 million (116 million pounds), according to Channel NewsAsia. ESPN reported City have also had an approach for midfielder Adam Wharton rejected and remain interested in Enzo Fernández, while Omar Marmoush, Nico González and Jack Grealish, all left out of Sunday's starting lineup, could depart before the transfer window closes on September 1.

With Rodri, Silva and John Stones all gone and Guardiola replaced by Maresca, City fielded their youngest opening-day lineup since 2008, according to ESPN. Whether that adds up to a title challenge or a season spent chasing a top-four finish is not yet clear.