Phil Foden gesture after Man City goal cannot disguise Enzo Maresca hope

Phil Foden completed a hat-trick and directed applause toward Rico Lewis as Manchester City secured a 5-1 Champions League victory over AEK Athens. Manager Enzo Maresca made seven changes to his starting lineup, resting Erling Haaland and handing 17-year-old Floyd Samba an unexpected start in attack. Elliot Anderson and Rayan Cherki also scored for the hosts, while Stavros Pilios managed the lone goal for the visitors.

Simon Bajkowski writes that Maresca's bold lineup decisions were rewarded as City rebounded from an earlier defeat against PSG. Bajkowski highlights Foden's resurgence, noting that the playmaker has scored four goals across his last two appearances, ending a previous 10-month goal drought and offering positive momentum ahead of City's upcoming fixture against Aston Villa.