Pep Guardiola had no doubt about playing Erling Haaland against Young Boys. The striker was in doubt for the Champions League Group G game due to an ankle injury. Haaland trained with the team on Monday and starred for City in their 3-nil win at the Etihad. He bagged a brace as the European champions clinched their place in the knockout stage of the competition.
Speaking post game Pep Guardiola explained that he had no doubt about playing Haaland. He revealed that he didn’t even speak to City’s number 9 about playing. Guardiola said: “I didn’t even speak with him. Yesterday, I saw the training session, how he moved and happy he was, and he felt good, so I said okay. For us, Erling is so important with his threat. He felt good so okay he’s going to play.”
Erling Haaland converted a first-half penalty and scored a wonder goal from outside the box in the second half before being substituted in the 61st minute. He was a constant threat and his all-round play caused headaches for the Young Boys defence. Haaland was withdrawn with one eye on Sunday’s clash with Chelsea with the game already won.
Guardiola praised Haaland’s exceptional second goal. He said: “Yeah normally he scores from the six yard box and the penalty spot. He has this talent and it’s not the first time he’s done it.”
Looouvre worthy! ☄️ pic.twitter.com/jtaqinBi7J
— Manchester City (@ManCity) November 7, 2023
It was a man-of-the-match display from Erling Haaland during City’s convincing win. His brace and a superb Phil Foden goal were enough for City to clinch a comfortable win. Haaland and his teammates will now shift their attention to Sunday’s match at Stamford Bridge against Chelsea. It will be City’s last game before the international break.
