Manchester City’s Erling Haaland, who was in doubt for the match against Young Boys due to an ankle injury, delivered an outstanding performance by scoring two goals in City’s 3-0 Champions League victory. This performance brought him closer to breaking the record for the fewest appearances to reach 40 goals in the Champions League, currently held by Ruud van Nistelrooy (45 games).
Haaland has now scored 39 Champions League goals in 34 appearances. Despite being the top scorer in Europe last season, he lost the Ballon D’Or award to Lionel Messi. City manager Pep Guardiola was asked if Haaland is having a season that could lead to him winning the prestigious trophy next year.
Guardiola responded by saying, “If he with his mates can win trophies, will be a chance to win it. If we don’t, he won’t win it.”
City secured a spot in the last 16 with two group games remaining after ensuring a top-two finish.
Haaland’s first goal came from a penalty, and Guardiola described his second goal, a left-footed shot from 20 meters, as “amazing.”
“Normally Erling scores goals, six-yard box, 18-yard box he has this talent, not the first time he has done it,” Guardiola said. “Yeah, that was a fantastic goal.”
Guardiola mentioned that Haaland was cleared to play after a training session.
“I didn’t speak with him, we saw in the training session how he moved and how happy he was,” Guardiola said. “He feels good, okay. So he plays, the job was almost done, take a rest for next Sunday.”
Guardiola stated that while there is a sense of accomplishment in clinching a knockout berth with two games remaining, the goal is to finish top in the group to ensure the second game in the last-16 is at home.
“The job isn’t done, we have to finish first,” Guardiola said. “We have a job to do, the first step to qualify is done. Really impressed, two fantastic goals.”
The manager expressed concern about a potential long injury layoff for John Stones, who recently returned from a hip injury but was substituted after halftime on Tuesday.
“It’s muscular, will be awhile out,” Guardiola said. “A pity for him, incredible professional. A pity and bad news for us.”
(Reporting by Lori Ewing; Editing by Toby Davis)
