Enzo Maresca says Manchester City must find more regular sources of goals rather than rely solely on Erling Haaland.
The Norway striker has scored 13 times in 12 appearances at the start of the 2026-27 campaign, exceeding his expected goals figure of 9.1. However, Rayan Cherki is the only other City player to have scored more than six goals.
Maresca’s side have lost their past two Premier League matches, falling 2-1 to Aston Villa, when Haaland scored, before being beaten by Brighton. City play RB Leipzig in the Champions League on Wednesday.
Haaland has an impressive record against the German club, scoring 12 goals in eight meetings. His six Champions League goals against Leipzig are his joint-highest total against any opponent, alongside Sevilla. Five of those goals came in one match, during City’s 7-0 victory in March 2023.
Despite that record, Maresca says the rest of City’s attacking players must contribute more.
“For me, it’s very important that in each game, we create chances,” Maresca said.
“For sure, when you have Erling on the pitch, it’s better because you know he’s going to score goals and is always there.
“At the same time, we cannot rely on Erling every game. We need the rest to also score goals. But in this moment, I think the last game against Brighton was the only game of the season when we didn’t score. I think so anyway.
“But for sure, if Erling is on the pitch, we’re happy.”
Phil Foden is third in City’s scoring standings this season with four goals. The England playmaker has started eight of the 11 matches in which he has featured.
Maresca said he was encouraged by Foden’s progress and welcomed the competition for places within his squad.
“I see Phil day by day better and better for sure, 100%,” he said.
“I’ve already said many times that he is going to give us many things this season.
“We have many games in all competitions and 20 senior players, all of them very good. It’s good to have competition between them. Phil and Rayan are more or less in the same position. I’m very happy with the way Phil is working every day.”
Foden scored a hat-trick in City’s previous Champions League match against AEK Athens. He said he had been pleased with his performances, despite an interruption earlier in the season.
“I think personally, it’s gone really well,” he said.
“Obviously, I had the very unfortunate red card against [Manchester] United, which put the brakes on.
“I think I came back really fresh-minded and sharp, I’ve been involved in a lot of goals recently, so I’ve been really happy with my own performances.”
City and Leipzig have met six times in European competition, all in the Champions League. Leipzig have won one of those matches, while the other five produced one draw and four City victories.
