Asian test for City: Maresca’s tweaks face Atletico Madrid

Manchester City will meet Atletico Madrid today at the Seoul World Cup Stadium, marking the final friendly of their Asian preseason tour and the last push before the squad returns to England for the FA Community Shield. The encounter offers a clear moment to gauge Enzo Maresca’s tactical adjustments ahead of the new campaign.

Earlier in the tour, City were eliminated on penalties by Inter Milan in Hong Kong, then rebounded with a 3-1 victory over the K‑League All‑Stars at the Seoul World Cup Stadium last Wednesday. Maresca has introduced a host of tweaks during those two fixtures, altering winger usage, possession build‑up and press intensity compared with Pep Guardiola’s previous approach. The Asian leg therefore provided both a setback and a confidence boost for the English side.

Atletico Madrid, under Diego Simeone, are a feisty side that defend deep, break quickly with pace and often line up in a 5‑4‑1 formation, a system City will likely encounter throughout the 2026‑27 season. According to reporter Jack Gaughan, Maresca spent time drilling his squad against a 5‑4‑1 shape, mirroring the challenge they will face against Atletico Madrid today. The tactical rehearsal aims to prepare the squad for the defensive solidity and rapid transitions that define the Spanish club.

After the friendly, the City squad will travel back to Manchester to shift focus onto next weekend’s FA Community Shield clash with Arsenal at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff. Reports indicate that Erling Haaland, Rayan Cherki, Marc Guehi, Nico O’Reilly and Elliot Anderson will begin training next week, while Rodri’s return remains uncertain amid Barcelona’s interest. The Seoul showdown therefore caps a fruitful Asian tour, giving Maresca a final rehearsal before the pressure of the season ramps up.