City’s back-up goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli made two saves as the holders won 4-3 on spot-kicks to reach the quarter-finals after twice coming from behind in a thrilling 2-2 draw at the Etihad Stadium.

“To be honest, since I’ve been here we never practiced penalties,” said Maresca before going on to praise the five players who did step up.

Phil Foden, Enzo Fernandez, Jeremy Doku and Rayan Cherki were all successful while Mateo Kovacic’s miss ultimately did not matter as Rulli denied Yasin Ayari and Lewis Dunk.

Maresca said: “We’re very happy with the five, even Mateo. It always happens, the one that scored during the 90 minutes, and then misses the penalty.”

Kovacic had cancelled out Malick Yalcouye’s opener before half-time but the impressive Georginio Rutter restored the Seagulls’ lead after the restart.

Rutter then had a shot tipped onto the bar by Rulli and hit the side-netting as the visitors threatened to take complete control.

The game and the atmosphere changed after the introduction of Jeremy Doku from the bench and Vitor Reis diverted in a Cherki free-kick to take the match to penalties.

“I’m not sure he changed the game, but for sure he made an impact,” said Maresca of Doku’s introduction. “This is the reason why they are there – when they start from the beginning, to try to do their best, and if they go on from the bench, to try to make an impact.”

Maresca had no regrets about his decision to rest Erling Haaland, Gianluigi Donnarumma, Ruben Dias, Elliot Anderson and Josko Gvardiol after giving them brief holidays.

He said: “I was happy with the way we planned the game, with the rotation, and especially I was very, very, very happy with the ones that were playing.”

Maresca, who made nine changes, praised Donnarumma’s deputy Rulli.

He said: “Apart from the penalties, I think overall he was good, especially in the build-up. He also made a good save.”

Brighton, who made seven changes themselves, will return to the Etihad in the Premier League on Saturday.

Manager Fabian Hurzeler said: “We lost in a shoot-out. We had enough chances to win the game but the goals we conceded were very unlucky.

“They had the luck today. We have to reset. We have a great chance on Saturday to take revenge.

“We will never blame players who miss chances or miss penalties. It is a team sport and we stick together. I saw a team who tried hard and a team who gave everything, also out of possession.”