Manchester City Manager, Pep Guardiola has revealed the reason he substituted his talisman, Erling Braut Haaland in their match against RB Leipzig.
The 23-year-old forward scored five goals in Manchester City’s 7-0 triumph over RB Leipzig in the UEFA Champions League. The victory advanced the team to the quarterfinals.
He joined Lionel Messi and Luiz Adriano as the only players to score five goals in a Champions League match.
Messi did so for Barca against Bayer Leverkusen. While Adriano’s quintuple came for Shakhtar Donetsk against Bate Borisov.
Haaland 5 goals vs Leipzig. pic.twitter.com/vZP5WBMFjS
— HaalandHQ (@HaalandHq) March 14, 2023
Guardiola however, brought on Julian Alvarez for him in the 63rd minute, preventing the striker from going for an unprecedented double hat-trick.
What Did Guardiola Say About Haaland?
When he was asked why he subbed off the prolific forward, he (Guardiola) said:
“If he achieves this milestone at 22, 23, it will be boring his life. He wouldn’t have a target to reach in the future. Here and everywhere.
That’s why I make a substitution. I didn’t know about Messi with Leverkusen (when he scored five against them in 2012). But I make a substitution because normally when the game is over we want them to play.
He scored five goals. The problem is every time we don’t score two or three he will be criticised. This is the reality.”
See Also: Manchester United Winger Alejandro Garnacho Confirms Injury Lay Off
He also highlighted how Haaland’s movement off the ball helped the team. And lauds him for his contribution defensively.
“Today he scored five but touched 30-35 ball contacts. This is what we’re looking for. When you’re involved in a game defensively, the ball comes to score goals you’re more clever, more precise. Gundogan scores goals, he can do it. Sometimes it’s his fault, sometimes he doesn’t move.”
After an outstanding showing in the UCL, Haaland and City will turn their attention to the clash against Burnley in the FA Cup quarterfinals on Saturday.
COMMENTS