Antoine Semenyo just had a remarkable match when he scored a double in Man City's 5-3 victory over Sunderland. 2 goals are not the only noteworthy point, as the Ghana striker is enjoying freedom in coach Enzo Maresca's system.
In the second goal, Semenyo could completely pass the ball to Erling Haaland. The Norwegian striker moved into a favorable position, but Semenyo decided to finish himself with his left foot.
Maybe he still remembers the situation where Haaland missed the opportunity before. It could also be simpler that Semenyo saw the gap and believed that he could score.
Whatever the reason, that choice was rewarded.
Those are Semenyo's first goals this season. In 34 appearances for Man City, he has 13 goals and 13 assists. These numbers show that the 26-year-old player is not just a supporting role in Maresca's star-studded squad.
Semenyo started all 5 Premier League matches under Maresca. He was positioned on the left wing, where the Italian captain encouraged the wing players to hold high positions, stretch the opponent's defense and actively look for one-on-one situations.
That is also the playing style suitable for Semenyo. "We are asked to push high, keep a wide position and proactively face the opposing defender. If it doesn't work, let's try again" - Semenyo shared.
That trust helps the Ghana striker play more comfortably. He does not always need to pass the ball to Haaland or wait for a teammate to create an opportunity. When there is space, Semenyo is allowed to finish the situation himself.
And Man City has many players capable of doing that. In 5 goals against Sunderland, Haaland only scored one goal. Enzo Fernandez also scored, and Semenyo had a double. Man City's attack is therefore no longer completely dependent on Haaland's scoring ability.
Maresca also appreciates the competition in the squad. According to him, top players must accept competition to keep their positions. If one person makes a mistake, another will have the opportunity to enter the squad.
With Semenyo, versatility gives him more room to perform. He mainly plays on the left wing, but is ready to play as a center forward if Haaland is out of action or injured. He even admitted to hearing information that he is considered a backup option for this position, although he does not know where the information came from.
Man City has only worked with Maresca for about 7-8 weeks, but Semenyo has clearly felt the progress of the team. They are winning many matches, understanding each other better and starting to form new habits when operating their playing style.
The double against Sunderland may just be a remarkable performance, but it shows Semenyo is increasingly confident in his assigned role. He has speed, strength, dribbling ability and is now ready to decide more in the bottom third of the field.
With a team owning Haaland, Enzo Fernandez and a series of attacking stars, the ability to play many positions and still maintain initiative helps Semenyo become a useful option.
