Erling Haaland’s disappointing performance could hardly make his mark in the Champions League game against RB Leipzig on Wednesday evening. In Germany, the Norwegian striker of Manchester City FC was certainly invisible in the first half. Afterwards, to no surprise at all, this provided enough material for conversation in England.
Haaland had seven ball contacts in the first half. Only one of these was in the opponent’s half. In the second half, thirteen more ball contacts were added, but the normally deadly Haaland could never strike. Yet trainer Pep Guardiola could not be critical of Haaland. “I saw that the team was in a good position, including the attack. Especially in the center,” the Catalan manager responded to the BBC.
“In the end I decided to let everyone stand,” Pep Guardiola explained. It turned out, because he did not change at all and left top talents Phil Foden and Julián Álvarez on the bench and left the invisible Haaland. “I also asked Haaland why he had his head down afterwards. After all, it was just good today.”
Riyad Mahrez stood up for his teammate Erling Braut Haaland
Teammate Riyad Mahrez also stood up for Haaland afterwards. The Algerian made the only goal for The Citizens and is satisfied with the cooperation with the striker. “He is a fast, powerful attacker and we know his qualities. It is not up to him to win duels to win the ball. And you can’t expect him to score seventy times every game,” the winger remarked.
Still, analyst Rio Ferdinand at BT Sport questioned Guardiola’s decision not to switch. Especially since City had a lot of options up its sleeve. The former defender mentioned, “They also want to get on the field, play football. Especially players who know they can influence the match and the game. They could have unlocked the opponent.”
“Still, you have to respect Pep,” said Ferdinand. The former international understands that the trainer will not just pull Haaland aside. “All players, including Haaland, have these moments in the offensive parts of the field. Then you can also be patient and trust the process,” the former Leeds United FC defender concluded.
