Guardiola Urges Haaland to Prioritize Relaxation Over Goals
Manchester City manager, Pep Guardiola, has emphasized the importance of relaxation for striker Erling Haaland, urging him to focus more on feeling at ease rather than solely scoring goals. As City prepare to defend their Champions League title, Guardiola believes that Haaland, who recently returned from a two-month injury layoff, has been overly fixated on quickly finding the back of the net.
According to Guardiola, Haaland’s impact on the pitch extends beyond scoring goals. The manager highlights the significance of his enthusiasm, encouragement towards his teammates, and his ability to execute an intense press. Guardiola acknowledges that transitioning back into the dynamic of the game after a long absence is not an easy task for any player. He advises Haaland to relax and not feel pressured to score immediately.
Guardiola draws attention to City’s recent Premier League victory against Everton as an example of Haaland’s resilience. Despite a quiet first half, the prolific Norwegian forward managed to score twice in the second half, securing a 2-0 win for his team. Guardiola attributes Haaland’s initial struggle to a lack of special delivery players in the first half who could create opportunities for him. Nevertheless, he praises Haaland’s positive attitude and highlights his contributions beyond scoring goals.
While Guardiola acknowledges Haaland’s impressive goal-scoring record, he emphasizes that there should not be undue pressure on the young player. He asserts that if Haaland fails to score in upcoming matches, it should not be viewed as a significant issue. Guardiola believes that the team’s success comes from overcoming difficult moments together, rather than relying solely on individual performances.
Haaland was the top scorer in last season’s Champions League, netting 12 goals as City clinched their first-ever title in the competition. In this season’s tournament, he has already scored five goals in five games. City’s next challenge will be against FC Copenhagen in the last-16 tie. Despite Copenhagen’s two-month break due to the winter break, Guardiola expects them to come out firing, viewing their rest as an advantage rather than a disadvantage for his side.
Guardiola respects Copenhagen’s achievements in reaching the knockout stage, finishing ahead of Galatasaray and Manchester United in Group A. He recognizes their strong performances throughout the group stage and approaches the upcoming match with caution and preparation.
Conclusion
Guardiola’s focus on Haaland’s relaxation and overall contribution to the team highlights his holistic approach to player development. By urging Haaland to prioritize a calm mindset, Guardiola aims to enhance the young striker’s performance and help him reach his full potential. As City continue their Champions League campaign, they will look to Haaland to not only score goals but also provide support and encouragement to his teammates. With Guardiola’s guidance, Haaland has the opportunity to become an even greater asset for Manchester City.