The biggest issue is control. When City are at their best, they dictate tempo, protect the defence and recover second balls quickly. Against Arsenal, that authority appeared to slip.
That matters even more because other reports suggest Rodri is on his way to Barcelona. If that move goes through, Maresca is not just losing a midfielder. He is losing the player who has often given structure to every phase of the game. Replacing that habit, positioning and calm is far harder than replacing a name on the teamsheet.
The market activity points in the same direction. Other reports suggest City remain interested in Enzo Fernandez, even after missing a deadline to make a bid, while Elliot Anderson has arrived this summer.
That reads like a club trying to rebuild the centre of the side quickly. Fernandez has been linked because he can take the ball under pressure and pass forward. Anderson offers drive and intensity. Both profiles make sense if Maresca believes the team needs more legs and more control.
An opener against Bournemouth may look gentler than one against Arsenal, but it can still punish loose structure. If City leave space between midfield and defence, or fail to manage transitions, they invite a difficult afternoon.
The next step is simple: restore order before style. If Maresca gets that balance right on Sunday, the Community Shield loss will feel like an early correction. If not, the next storyline will be obvious - how quickly City can fix the centre of the pitch before the transfer window closes further.