After Manchester City defeated Manchester United 1-0 away in the Manchester Derby in Week 4 of the Premier League, playing with ten men, Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca spoke to Sky Sports.

Enzo, you previously said to "embrace the chaos." Did you feel your team did that today?

Chaos like that! (laughs) Yes, yes. In any case, I think the red card did disrupt our initial game plan somewhat. But I have to praise the players for their effort, spirit, and team cohesion – it was all fantastic.

Although it feels like ages ago, tell us about your initial formation. It looked like you deployed Enzo as a single holding midfielder in the No. 6 position, with two attacking No. 8s ahead of him. How did you initially intend to play? And how much were those plans disrupted after going down to ten men?

When we played with ten men, all the plans changed. In the early stages, our idea was to commit more to attacking and create numerical superiority in midfield to target their two midfielders. But again, after the red card – I don't remember the exact minute...

The 23rd minute, wasn't it?

Yes, after about twenty, twenty-five minutes, the entire course of the match changed completely.

Yes. Do you feel the referee's decision was fair? What's your view on the red card?

Giving a red card could be justified, of course it could be given. But I think in that same challenge, a red card could also have been given to Bruno Fernandes. In the same sequence of play. But anyway, it was given, and we received the red card. Although we ultimately won, I think that challenge could have resulted in a red card for them as well.

Okay, so you accept the player was sent off, but on the condition that both sides are treated the same?

Yes, that's right.

Understood. So how would you assess your players' reaction after that? Interestingly, after going down to ten men, you seemed to play better almost immediately.

Yes, I think it changed our strategy, but it also disrupted their shape. They're a very good team with outstanding counter-attacking ability. So when we played with only ten men, we didn't give them the opportunity to counter-attack because we dominated the ball. So I think the flow of the match changed for us, and it also changed somewhat for them. But again, I think we can set tactical aspects aside for now; what was most crucial today was the effort the players gave; their performance was truly outstanding.

Do you think passing such a test and overcoming it is a major step forward for this team? As you said, setting tactics aside, from an emotional and team cohesion perspective, does this really bring everyone together?

Yes, in any case... even in normal circumstances, winning a match with ten men is an outstanding performance. If this match is also a big, important one, that makes it even better! So it feels incredible, yes.

For you personally, winning a derby like this is also an important moment, isn't it? After all, you're replacing such a great predecessor...

Yes, yes, of course. This is a tremendous moment. Last season when Chelsea played here, they were reduced to ten men after just three minutes...

Yes, that's right!

And today in the 25th minute we lost a player. Hopefully next time we can play the full 11 against 11 from start to finish!

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