Antoine Semenyo: Maresca's Style is Music to My Ears

Manchester City forward Antoine Semenyo has described new manager Enzo Maresca's style as "music to his ears" and expressed his excitement about the role he will play under the Italian specialist.

In Maresca's debut match at the helm of the Citizens, the team lost to Inter after a penalty shootout, but still showcased the attacking football that will characterize the squad in the new season. Semenyo played the first half and distinguished himself with an assist from the left wing for Divin Mubama's goal.

"When he was appointed, that was the first thing I thought of. I remember when we played against Chelsea while he was there, their wingers always operated high up the pitch and had freedom. That was one of the things that excited me the most. I get to be in one-on-one situations for most of the games and I'm looking forward to that," Semenyo told "BBC".

The Ghana international found similarities between Maresca's ideas and those of former manager Pep Guardiola, with whom he worked during the second half of last season.

"We had individual conversations with him about how he wants our setup to be and what the role of the wingers and the team as a whole is. I think his ideas are great, quite similar to Pep's. If you watched the Inter game, you saw some of them in action – it was good. Enzo wants me to stay wide and create chances when I get the ball. That's music to my ears," the forward added.

Antoine Semenyo joined Manchester City in January for £65 million, with Pep Guardiola reportedly promising to make him a better player at the time.

"I just wanted my next step to be a big one and Manchester City was the right choice. I spoke to Pep before the transfer and he told me: 'Look, when you come, I will make you a better player.' If you want to develop, you have to improve every season, and he definitely helped me with that in the first five months. Of course, it's sad that he left," the winger explained.

Semenyo's Manchester career began with a bang, as he netted 11 goals in 27 appearances during the spring half of the season, including the winning strike in the FA Cup final against Chelsea.