Maresca spots one‑on‑one spark as Semenyo threatens at Kai Tak

Manchester City’s 1‑1 draw with Inter Milan at Hong Kong’s Kai Tak Stadium, decided by a 3‑1 penalty shoot‑out, signals Enzo Maresca’s early appraisal of his squad, with Antoine Semenyo’s one‑on‑one threat earning particular praise as the coach outlines his winger criteria.

The decisive moment arrived when Antoine Semenyo unleashed a right‑footed strike that goalkeeper Josep Martínez saved, underscoring the winger’s one‑on‑one danger that Maresca highlighted after the match. Maresca praised the display, saying it exemplified the type of attacker he wants.

Manchester City opened their preseason campaign against Inter Milan, the friendly ending 1‑1 after regular time before City prevailed 3‑1 in the penalty shoot‑out. The match, staged at Hong Kong’s Kai Tak Stadium, offered the first glimpse of the squad under Maresca’s guidance.

Maresca outlined the profile he seeks in a winger, insisting on the ability to beat a defender in one‑on‑one situations. He stated, “I want wingers that can beat their man in one‑on‑one situations.”

One Manchester City attacker displayed that trait, with Antoine Semenyo, Savinho and Ryan McAidoo all showing the required one‑on‑one skill set. Their performances illustrated the type of player Maresca described.

In the first half, Semenyo operated on the left wing, repeatedly challenging Inter Milan right wing‑back Andy Diouf, driving at the defence and reaching the byline to supply Divin Mubama’s 14th‑minute tap‑in. The sequence highlighted his ability to create chances from wide areas.

A few minutes later he cut inside to the right, created a clear shooting opportunity and unleashed a right‑footed strike that Josep Martínez saved. Maresca noted the power and pace behind the effort.

Maresca believes Semenyo’s power, pace and willingness to take on defenders align with the winger role he envisions for City. The Ghana international’s dominant first‑half display suggests he could be a key attacking outlet in the 2026‑27 season.

Antoine Semenyo joined Manchester City from Bournemouth in January and featured for Pep Guardiola’s side in the latter half of last season. He scored the winning goal in the FA Cup final against Chelsea and contributed several important goals.

The friendly was only a preseason test, leaving his role in the upcoming campaign still to be confirmed. Manchester City will decide how to integrate the winger based on further assessments, and the match serves as an early indicator rather than a definitive verdict.