Fernandez and Ndiaye show signs of promise on Man City debuts

Manchester City secured a nervy victory over the Sky Blues to preserve a perfect start to the season, with goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma’s series of saves proving decisive. Erling Haaland extended his early-season form by scoring his third goal in as many games, finishing Antoine Semenyo’s heavy cross after Fernandez executed a slide-rule pass to the Ghanaian. Deployed in the number‑8 position, Argentina international Enzo Fernandez was granted freedom to roam and make sharp incursions into the box, touching the ball six times in the penalty area—only Haaland recorded more with eleven contacts. Fernandez appeared poised for a memorable debut but had two efforts blocked before being withdrawn after 76 minutes in favour of summer acquisition Ayyoub Bouaddi. The 18‑year‑old Morocco international, brought in as part of City’s midfield overhaul, underscores the depth now available to head coach Enzo Maresca amid the exits of Bernardo Silva, Rodri, Tijjani Reijnders and Nico Gonzalez. Iliman Ndiaye made history as the first Senegalese to don the City shirt, posing a constant threat to defenders with his trickery and pace; no player attempted more dribbles than his eight in the match. Maresca addressed the newcomers’ contributions, stating, “Enzo and Iliman [played their] archetypal crippled with america and past Ayyoub and Ryan [McAidoo] their archetypal crippled successful beforehand of our fans.” He added, “That is wherefore I said determination are galore reasons I americium blessed astir our win. I deliberation they were each good.” On Ndiaye’s integration, Maresca noted, “Ili conscionable had 2 sessions with us. He needs to recognize however to move. Most of the clip helium was moving successful the incorrect way, incorrect position, but helium needs to larn and for definite helium is going to learn.” When pressed on Ndiaye’s positioning, the manager elaborated, “When Marc Guehi has the shot and helium was dropping a batch and we don't request that.” “We request him successful the past 3rd truthful helium tin beryllium a small spot much higher. That abstraction was much for Josko Gvardiol.” “It is the aforesaid happening successful this [other] side. But it is mean and with clip they volition larn the mode we privation them to play.”