Erling Haaland and Enzo Maresca Praise Ayyoub Bouaddi After Manchester City's Win at Porto

Manchester City Celebrate Young Talent Ayyoub Bouaddi After Victory at Porto

Enzo Maresca and Erling Haaland applauded teenager Ayyoub Bouaddi following Manchester City's 2-0 Champions League triumph over Porto. The 18-year-old midfielder earned his first start and impressed with a calm, commanding performance at Estadio do Dragao, catching the attention of teammates and fans alike.

Impressive Debut for Bouaddi

In their opening match of the Champions League group stage, Manchester City secured a solid 2-0 win against Porto. Alongside Haaland’s two second-half goals, Bouaddi stood out in midfield during his full debut. He completed 54 out of 55 passes and made seven recoveries before being substituted by Mateo Kovacic in the 76th minute.

Maresca Applauds Team and Bouaddi’s Performance

Manager Enzo Maresca expressed satisfaction with the team's effort on a tough European away day, highlighting the squad's depth and quality. Speaking after the match on Amazon Prime, he said:

"I think we could have scored more goals, especially in the first half, but overall, we deserved the win. We created enough chances and didn’t concede many. It's normal to allow some opportunities in a game like this, so I’m happy with the performance. I consider myself lucky because all the players in the squad are good, which makes managing easier. Tonight, the players on the pitch were very good."

Regarding Bouaddi, Maresca added:

"From experienced players like Erling [Haaland], Ruben [Dias], and Mateo [Kovacic], you expect game management, but Bouaddi never panicked. His performance was unbelievable."

Haaland Calls Bouaddi a 'Gem'

Before stepping onto the field, Bouaddi had already made an impression on City’s senior players. Haaland praised the youngster's potential while teasing him about a missed pass during the game:

"I think he played a very good game. In training these past weeks, I told the chairman he’s been amazing, so we have a gem here. But honestly, I think he should have played me through in the second half when I was alone. I was a bit angry, so I’ll tell him now: he played well, except for that pass."

Next Challenge: Manchester Derby

The win in Portugal keeps Manchester City's perfect start intact, extending their streak to four straight wins across all competitions this season. Their resilience will be put to the test as they prepare to face local rivals Manchester United in the Premier League. Bouaddi’s confident display boosts his chances of regular appearances amid a busy autumn schedule.

• Upcoming Matches:
• 12 Sept 2026, 19:00: FC Porto vs Casa Pia ACCAP (Liga Portugal)
• 13 Sept 2026, 17:30: Manchester United vs Manchester City (Premier League)