Haaland returns to the Bernabéu tonight where he will try to dig into Real Madrid’s wound. The Norwegian forward has granted an interview to The Rest Is Footballwhere he reviews all the current football news and his signing for City.
Anecdote about not wearing gloves while playing: “I like the classic style, you know. It’s nice. And besides, you never see me play with gloves. It’s because my father would hit me if I did.. So I’m a bit classical too.”
His signing for City: “Guardiola called me. It was a pleasant conversation. He told me that I could score many goals with him. In Norway we watch the Premier. When Guardiola called me I didn’t hesitateIn the end I think it’s turning out well. and I think that timing is very important. When he arrived at City, they needed a striker. “It also motivated me to show that Pep’s team can also be direct, not just passing the ball.”
On his future: “I am calm, focused and very happy hereso it’s a really good place to develop and, in the end, England is a football country, and I think it is the best place to play football. I want to be part of this“.
On getting angry at being replaced: “Let’s be honest, when I scored five goals against Leipzig, of course I wanted to score six. But I think it would be a great lack of respect for the player who comes in for me if he came out angry. So I think the last thing I would do is show anyone that I’m pissed off about being replaced.”
Downturn in play: “First of all, it’s the injuries. I think it is very difficult to maintain the level after winning. There is something psychological. I think it’s part of our human nature to have a different mindset. And it is very difficult to maintain the level after doing something great, even if there is nothing better.”
Guardiola: “I think he’s some kind of genius, but what surprised me is his hard work. He works harder than everyone. He is the one who works the hardest in the club. He is the first to arrive, the last to leaveand I think that’s also what has gotten him this far, thanks to his day job. It is dedication, it is motivation and it is also an intense way of watching football and working with it. That’s the main thing.”
Norway and the World Cup: “I’ve been feeling the pressure for a long time. If I were Norwegian, thinking about this team and having Haaland at the helm, I would also put pressure on the team. It’s difficult to play in a World Cup, it’s difficult to qualify, and especially as the years go by, you think more about what’s wrong, and thinking about the last time we were in the World Cup, where my father played, it’s like I wasn’t even born, you know?, and I lived my whole life without qualifying, so that also motivates me. I thought I would never play one”.
The passion for football: “Yes, I’m a football fan, so I watch all kinds of football. The other day while we were having dinner and I looked to see if there was a game on. Manchester United and West Ham are playing. Let’s put it on. My wife told me: ‘I’m fed up with football. We see it all the time.’ And I said, ‘Yes, that’s why we’re here.’“.
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The Norwegian assures that he does not drink alcohol: “No, not in season. I took it after we qualified for the World Cup. But I usually don’t drink in season. Just milk, yeah”.
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