Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has advised Erling Haaland to prioritize feeling relaxed over focusing solely on scoring goals.
As Manchester City prepares to resume their Champions League campaign against FC Copenhagen, Pep Guardiola has advised Erling Haaland to focus not only on scoring goals but also on contributing to the team dynamics. Haaland, who recently returned from a two-month injury absence, has displayed eagerness to quickly regain his goal-scoring form. Guardiola emphasized the importance of Haaland’s overall contribution, including encouragement for teammates and effective pressing.
Guardiola acknowledged that Haaland is a fierce competitor with a strong desire to score goals, urging him to relax and understand that the process of returning to peak performance after injury is challenging. The manager emphasized the significance of Haaland’s positive influence beyond goal-scoring and highlighted the recent Premier League match against Everton as an example. In that game, Haaland had a quiet first half but scored twice in the second half, securing a 2-0 win for Manchester City.
According to reports from the BBC Pep Guardiola says “Haaland is a young player who plays in a very difficult position and surrounded by multiple players”
Haaland and De Bruyne are different Monsters – Pep Guardiola
Pep Guardiola emphasized the importance of having players like Kevin De Bruyne, who possesses the ability to provide special deliveries for Erling Haaland in the first half of matches. Guardiola encouraged Haaland to maintain a positive mindset even when goals are not immediately forthcoming, recognizing the Norwegian’s contributions go beyond scoring, benefiting the team in various aspects. Guardiola clarified that his comments weren’t specific to Haaland and were more general observations about the team’s dynamics.
Guardiola addressed concerns about Haaland’s body language, stating that it is not a problem and highlighted the striker’s impressive goal-scoring record. He pointed out Haaland’s significant contributions in the previous season’s Champions League, where he was the top scorer with 12 goals, helping City secure their first Champions League title. Haaland has continued his goal-scoring prowess in the current season’s competition, with five goals in five games.
