To grasp how Rodri, Anderson, and a player like Bouaddi could fit together, you first need to understand Maresca’s tactical blueprint.
A devotee of positional play, he often compares football to chess.
“There are many parallels,” Maresca said. “The key is positioning and strategy.
“A coach has to think like a chess player: craft a plan, anticipate counter-moves, and organise the pieces.”
His approach is anchored in an in-possession structure that resembles a 3-2-2-3.
Rodri’s biggest asset in a Maresca side is his ability to shift smoothly between these defined roles on the pitch.
During the World Cup, for instance, he often dropped into the back line when former City teammate Aymeric Laporte carried the ball forward.
While he usually occupied a holding midfield role, Rodri also stepped higher when space appeared.