Manchester City prepare for another difficult test against Brighton when the sides meet in the Premier League on Saturday.
City booked their place in the EFL Cup quarter-finals on Wednesday after fighting back twice to draw 2-2 at the Etihad Stadium before winning a penalty shootout.
Both teams made several changes for the cup tie, but Maresca and Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler are expected to restore their strongest available line-ups for the league encounter.
“Brighton are in a brilliant moment,” Maresca said. “They are winning games, they are scoring goals. They are scoring many goals every game – three, four, five goals a game.”
The City manager has been impressed by Brighton’s attacking approach and expects them to maintain their aggressive style.
“I’ve watched all their Premier League games since we started, and from the first day – against Arsenal, Palace and Liverpool – they always go front foot, man to man,” he said.
“We knew that this was a tough game and they’re going to be exactly the same on Saturday.”
Brighton took the lead in Wednesday’s cup tie through Malick Yalcouye, before Mateo Kovacic levelled with an impressive long-range finish. Georginio Rutter restored the visitors’ advantage shortly after half-time, but Vitor Reis deflected in Rayan Cherki’s free-kick to force a shootout.
City goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli then proved decisive, saving efforts from Yasin Ayari and Lewis Dunk to secure his side’s progress.
The Premier League meeting carries significant importance for both clubs. City are level on points with leaders Arsenal, while third-placed Brighton are only five points behind the leading pair.
Maresca is also determined to keep City focused on football amid the continuing controversy surrounding the club’s financial-rule case. City have appealed against the verdict finding them guilty of more than 100 alleged breaches, while the club denies wrongdoing. No punishment has been announced.
The Italian, who succeeded Pep Guardiola at the end of last season, insists his priority is building a successful team. City have also been drawn at home against third-tier Bradford City in the EFL Cup quarter-finals.
“It’s a different competition, but the ambition has to be the same,” Maresca said. “This is a new project with new players, a new manager. It started three months ago.
“We need to do our business. That is winning games and, at the moment, we are doing that.”
