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Life without Pep Guardiola appears grim for Manchester City if the Community Shield was any indication, though Enzo Maresca can find comfort in the fact that the annual pre-season showpiece rarely sets the tone for what follows.
Nevertheless, Arsenal's commanding 3–0 victory in Cardiff exposed the scale of the challenge facing Maresca. The Italian must fill the shoes of a tactical mastermind at the Etihad Stadium, taking charge of a squad that has undergone significant changes over the last year and a half.
It's evident that City still need to strengthen in the transfer window to build a side capable of competing at the top, but those anticipated additions are unlikely to arrive before Sunday's fixture against Bournemouth.
The Cityzens kick off their Premier League campaign at home against the Cherries, who are gearing up for their first European football experience this season after a sixth-place finish last term.
Here's how City could line up this weekend.
Man City Predicted XI vs. Bournemouth
GK: Gianluigi Donnarumma—Donnarumma had no World Cup fatigue to blame for his underwhelming display last weekend. Man City have fully backed the Italian by offloading James Trafford, so he must repay that faith with a series of solid performances to start the season.
RB: Matheus Nunes—The repurposed midfielder was sorely missed against the Gunners, but Maresca has confirmed that Nunes has recovered in time for Sunday's game.
CB: Rúben Dias—Some sections of the City fanbase are eager to move on from Dias, yet the new boss will likely rely on the Portuguese veteran's experience and leadership early in his reign.
CB: Marc Guéhi—Following a dismal defensive performance last time out, leaving the composed Guéhi out of Sunday's starting eleven would be a mistake. The Englishman was among those with limited pre-season minutes due to England's extended World Cup run.
LB: Joško Gvardiol—Nico O'Reilly has played himself out of contention, with Gvardiol's reliability taking precedence. The Croatian may not offer what O'Reilly brings in possession, but he has previously demonstrated an ability to contribute in attacking areas from left back.
CM: Elliot Anderson—A hefty transfer fee has placed enormous pressure on Anderson, who has so far been deployed by Maresca as a watered-down version of Kevin De Bruyne. That isn't the type of midfielder he is, and the Italian may need to reconsider his midfield setup.
CM: Mateo Kovačić—Despite a below-par showing last time out, Kovačić has earned the new manager's trust, moving ahead of Nico González in the pecking order. City are targeting two midfield signings before the transfer deadline.
RW: Rayan Cherki—With Jérémy Doku sidelined and Savinho having departed, City are short of options out wide. Rather than turning to youth or Jack Grealish, Cherki could start on the right flank and cut inside to link up with the No. 10, with Nunes required to provide width.
AM: Phil Foden—Maresca kept a tight leash on Cole Palmer at Chelsea, so it will be fascinating to observe how Foden adapts under his management, particularly given the Englishman's need for a strong response this campaign.
LW: Antoine Semenyo—Having started on the right last Sunday, Semenyo now faces his former club for the second time since his January exit. It was Bournemouth who derailed City's title hopes at the close of last season, and the versatile winger will undoubtedly be motivated to make an impact against his old side.
ST: Erling Haaland—The £15.5 million Fantasy Premier League (FPL) asset boasts a remarkable August record, netting 22 goals in 14 appearances. However, this marks the first time Haaland has entered a new season fresh from a major international tournament, having been substituted before the hour mark in the Community Shield.