Erling Haaland and Manchester City’s day had started with some uproar. The first without doubt since his thunderous arrival at the Citizens this summer. A rumor from Spain reported a secret release clause negotiated by the Norwegian mutant to be able to join Real Madrid in 2024. Coach Pep Guardiola quickly evacuated the rumor on Wednesday evening, at the end of the victory against Copenhagen (5 -0).
“It is not true, attested the Catalan technician. I have a feeling he’s incredibly happy here, and that’s the most important thing. To tell the truth, who dares to contradict him? A few minutes earlier, Erling Haaland had delivered another capital performance. Sunday, he slammed a staggering third hat-trick in a row at home in the Premier League against the Mancunian rival. This time, it only took him 45 minutes to score a brace, before returning to the bench on the break. The first goal fell on his first ball in the 7th minute, the second in the 30th, almost a little late given his standards. He is now 19 goals in 12 games at City, and his career total is approaching 200 goals, including 28 in C1 which is already higher than references like Rivaldo or Luis Suarez (27).
“On the first and second goals, I was just laughing”
“It’s incredible, honestly, blew his partner Jack Grealish. I have never seen anything like it in my life. On the first and second goals, I was just laughing. He is always there. The stadium announcer also decided to laugh in front of such a specimen. “City goal, who else (“who else”)”, he launched when the score opened. A deviation from the protocol which is not disrespectful for the opponent.
Grealish precisely went to a field confidence. “Their goalkeeper (from Copenhagen, Kamil Grabara Editor’s note) said something to me when I was replacing myself, he confides. He said, “He’s not human! I replied, “Don’t tell me!” “Hopefully he can maintain this form and take us to glory. »
When you have such a gem, you cuddle it. Pep Guardiola took him out at the break, 3-0. “The game was under control. If the game was close, Erling would have continued but it was better to rest for Southampton on Saturday. »
“How to react to an attacker who touches the ball less than some ball boys”
But the Scandinavian, who unfortunately will not compete in the World Cup, is he that tired? For the BBC, it goes without saying that “even a goal machine needs rest”. The Daily Mail is not so sure given the attacker’s style of play. “Not only is he big, strong, and powerful, but the danger he poses seems to be delivered with minimal effort, concentrated in short, sharp, deadly bursts of activity. The Guardian was also amused by this diabolical efficiency. “The problem is that it is difficult to know how to react to a striker who touches the ball less than some ball boys and yet has scored 19 goals in 12 appearances this season. »
Former Red Devils defender and now star consultant Rio Ferdinand believes he is Guardiola’s “missing piece of the puzzle”. “For the past two or three years, I thought City were going to win the Champions League, but they didn’t have Haaland, he analyzed on BT sports. He scores sniffer dog goals. Poachers goals. He is there all the time. “And obviously, for a long time.
