The striker is in a rough patch for his standards and Pep Guardiola explains why
Manchester City striker Erling Haaland has now failed to score in open play in nine games and counting.
It is one of the longest scoring droughts in his glittering career. For a player football viewers are used to seeing find the back of the net interminably, it raises concerns about what exactly is going on, even though that is ridiculous since Haaland has netted 26 times already this season.
The last time Haaland scored was against Brighton in the first week of January, but that was from the spot, and the last time he found the net in open play was against West Ham on 20 December.
The Norwegian was benched in City’s game against Wolves on Saturday, after Guardiola had warned he was exhausted and needed rest.
Ahead of City’s Champions League game against Galatasaray Guardiola was asked whether Haaland was now feeling fresh to face Galatasaray.
“I didn’t have dinner with him last night so I don’t know,” said a spiky Guardiola. “We will see.”
Then he was further pressed on why the Norwegian has struggled to find the net.
“It’s the team,” Guardiola said. “We have to play better.
“Create more chances and he will score. Never underestimate the goalscorers because they will always make you silent. I’m an overthinking manager, I’m not a man manager.
“The new generation of managers are just videos. I don’t talk with the players for the last three years. Less problems.”
City will face old boys Ilkay Gundogan and Leroy Sane when Galatasaray visit the Etihad. Guardiola praised the players for the impact they had at the club when they were in Manchester.
“Huge contribution,” Guardiola said. “I’m grateful for both of them, incredibly lovely people. I’m happy to see them back tomorrow. Gundo was here a little longer but Leroy was really important here, he gave us something we needed.
“Gundo was the captain for the treble season, a massive character, a player similar to Bernardo [Silva] – top player in the top games, big player in the big games.”
Galatasaray boss Okan Buruk could benefit from the duo’s knowledge of Guardiola and how he likes to set up.
“They should do it, I would do it,” Guardiola responded. “We know each other quite well. We don’t know exactly which players are going to play tomorrow and the way they are going to attack or defend, unless they have a spy in the locker room. Especially Gundo, we have been in a thousand million meetings together.”
City have struggled for form, but they need a win not just to boost morale but also to stand a chance of automatic qualification for the last 16.
“We will try to win tomorrow,” Guardiola said. “Galatasaray, when you see the players, all of them are exceptional. We will have to make an incredible effort with our fans and give more than we could give with a lot of absences that we have and after we will see what happens.”
