De Zerbi discusses Maresca rapport ahead of Tottenham vs Manchester City and recalls Baresi memories
Quick summary
Roberto De Zerbi speaks about his relationship with Enzo Maresca ahead of Tottenham facing Manchester City, while sharing personal memories of AC Milan legend Franco Baresi.
Full article
Attributed to original sourceRoberto De Zerbi is looking forward to facing fellow Italian Enzo Maresca when Tottenham take on Manchester City, noting they made friends in the Milan youth academy, so both got to know Franco Baresi.
The coach is starting his first full season at Spurs, having taken over during dire circumstances in March and just about steering them out of the relegation zone.
There is a very Italian feel to the Premier League this term, as not only is De Zerbi at Tottenham, but Maresca replaces Pep Guardiola at Manchester City too.
De Zerbi reunited with Maresca HONG KONG, CHINA – AUGUST 1: Head coach Enzo Maresca of Manchester City (R) and Team head coach Cristian Chivu (L) talk after the Manchester City v Inter Milan – Pre-Season Friendly at Kai Tak Stadium on August 1, 2026 in Hong Kong, China. (Photo by Yu Chun Christopher Wong/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images) “We had already met as opponents when he was on Guardiola’s staff, but never I think as head coaches,” confessed De Zerbi to Sky Sport Italia.
“I’m pleased because he is a friend. Enzo and I have known each other since we were 13 years old. He had a few years in the Milan youth academy with me, but then he left and we lost sight of each other. Once we crossed paths again, we made sure to remain in contact.
“He’s become a great coach. His path was different to mine, but I am very happy for him. He was already at a big club last season with Chelsea, and now is in charge of another top team.”
You can read the rest of De Zerbi’s interview here.
LONDON, ENGLAND – MAY 24: Roberto De Zerbi, Manager of Tottenham Hotspur, celebrates after the team secured safety from relegation during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Everton at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on May 24, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images) Tottenham were battling to avoid relegation last season, but De Zerbi hopes they will have a very different experience this time around.
“We can’t get ahead of ourselves. We need to create a clear playing style and give a soul to this team. If the results were lacking in previous years, it may well be because those elements were missing.
“The Premier League is very competitive, so many talk about ‘projects,’ but very few manage to see them through. We want to be here for many years and take Tottenham back to the top of the table. It’s no guarantee that just having a good transfer campaign will be enough to immediately challenge with the top teams. We’ll see.”
MARSEILLE, FRANCE – NOVEMBER 25: Roberto De Zerbi, head coach of Olympique de Marseille looks on prior to the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD5 match between Olympique de Marseille and Newcastle United FC at Stade de Marseille on November 25, 2025 in Marseille, France. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images) Both De Zerbi and Maresca were in the Milan youth academy, which means they got to see legend Baresi when he was at the club.
The iconic defender died last month at the age of 66 after treatment for cancer.
“I suffered a great deal at this news, because I trained for several years with the Milan team of Invincibles: Baresi, Maldini, Tassotti, Costacurta, Boban and the others,” explained De Zerbi.
“Baresi was truly special, and I can say that first hand. Perhaps it helped that we were both from Brescia, but he always had a very affectionate rapport with me. He’d wink, give me a pat on the back.
“I was just a kid, aged 14, 15, 16, and his presence was just incredible. There are some moments I remember so well, all it took was a glance for him to make even the biggest champions feel small.
“He was probably the best defender I ever saw live, along with Maldini. Those truly were different times.”
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What happened
In a pre-match press conference, Tottenham manager Roberto De Zerbi addresses his professional rapport with Manchester City counterpart Enzo Maresca as the two sides prepare to meet. De Zerbi also reflects on his special memories connected to Franco Baresi, the iconic former AC Milan defender. The piece frames the upcoming Premier League fixture through the lens of the two Italian-coach rivalry and mutual respect.
Chance analysis
Pre-match press conferences from opposing managers rarely move prediction markets significantly, but they do offer insight into tactical approach, team morale, and injury hints when read carefully. De Zerbi and Maresca are both Italian coaches with strong tactical identities, so any references to setup or squad news in the full presser could be material. The Baresi anecdote is a human-interest touchpoint rather than a tactical signal.
Minimal direct impact on the Tottenham vs Manchester City match outcome unless specific lineup or injury information was disclosed in the press conference.
Focus on any squad news, injury updates, or tactical hints in De Zerbi's full press conference rather than the rapport narrative.