Manchester City may have walked away from a sensational eight-goal thriller with Sunderland, but Enzo Maresca’s post-match comments have shifted attention away from the scoreline and directly onto one Sunderland player.
City eventually came through a chaotic encounter in which both sides produced attacking football, but Sunderland refused to simply sit back and accept their fate. The visitors repeatedly stretched the City defence, attacked with confidence and created moments that forced the home side into uncomfortable situations.
For Maresca, however, there was one particular moment that left him genuinely surprised.
The City boss was asked after the match for his honest assessment of Sunderland and whether the visitors had given his side a tougher challenge than expected. Rather than simply praising Sunderland collectively, Maresca reportedly singled out one player whose performance had caused his defenders constant problems.
He admitted that Sunderland had been prolific and dangerous, but insisted that the biggest surprise of the evening came when Régis Le Bris decided to make a change in the second half.
The decision came around the 60-minute mark.
And according to Maresca, that was the moment his defenders finally began to breathe.
The player being withdrawn had been Sunderland’s biggest attacking threat, repeatedly driving at City, carrying the ball into dangerous areas and forcing the home defence to retreat. His pace, directness and willingness to take defenders on had reportedly created a nightmare for City throughout the contest.
Maresca appeared particularly impressed by the player’s ability to fit into the type of attacking system he wants his teams to play.
Speaking during the post-match interview, the City boss was asked what impressed him most about Sunderland.
Maresca’s response was blunt.
“Sunderland were prolific, I must admit, but what shocked me the most was their coach decision to take the only threat we had off around the 60th minute. He was the player pushing the most, attacking us and giving my defenders nightmares. If I have the chance, I would bring him to Manchester City because I feel like he suits my pattern. When he came off, you could almost see my defenders finally breathe.”
Then came the revelation.
The Sunderland sensation at the centre of Maresca’s admiration was Nison Angulo, the Ecuadorian winger who joined Sunderland on February 2, 2026.
Angulo had spent much of the match causing problems for City with his direct running and attacking intent. Rather than being intimidated by the quality around him, he repeatedly looked willing to take the game directly to the Premier League giants.
That reportedly caught Maresca’s attention.
The City boss went even further in his praise, suggesting that a player displaying that level of attacking quality should be allowed to remain on the pitch for as long as his physical condition permits.
For Maresca, it was not simply about scoring goals or producing one spectacular moment. It was about the fear Angulo appeared to create whenever he received the ball and faced a City defender.
The Sunderland winger had continued to demand possession, run at his opponents and attempt to push his team forward even when City were controlling significant portions of the contest.
That made his substitution all the more surprising to Maresca.
The decision immediately became one of the biggest talking points surrounding the match, particularly because Sunderland were still capable of threatening City whenever Angulo was involved.
Maresca’s comments have now added another layer to the debate.
“A player of that quality deserves the full 90 minutes provided he still has that gas in him to keep it on. When you have a player who is creating that many problems for Manchester City, you don’t want to make our job easier. Honestly, when he was substituted, my defenders were able to breathe again.”
The comments are certain to fuel speculation around Angulo, particularly given the stature of the club whose manager has now expressed admiration for his qualities.
There was no formal transfer announcement and no indication that Manchester City have made an official approach. But Maresca’s reported admiration has already transformed what might have been remembered simply as an entertaining eight-goal contest into a much bigger conversation about Sunderland’s attacking star.
For Le Bris, the 60th-minute decision will now inevitably face scrutiny.
Was Angulo tiring?
Was the substitution tactical?
Or did Sunderland remove their biggest attacking weapon at precisely the moment when his presence could have continued causing problems for City?
Those questions will dominate the aftermath.
For Maresca, though, the message was clear.
He saw something he liked.
And if the opportunity ever arrives, the Manchester City boss appears ready to make his move.
Nison Angulo has officially caught the eye of Enzo Maresca.
