Pep Guardiola was impressed by Erling Haaland on Wednesday evening. The Norwegian super striker from Manchester City contributed with two goals in the Champions League match against Sparta Prague (5-0). His first goal, in particular, was magical, and Guardiola couldn't believe what he saw.
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It took almost an hour before City managed to extend their lead against Sparta Prague.
Savinho, showcasing excellent vision and composure, pulled the ball back from the byline to create a seemingly impossible opportunity. The ball appeared out of reach for anyone except Erling Haaland. In a moment that encapsulated his otherworldly ability, Haaland managed to flick the ball into the net with a backheel reminiscent of Zlatan Ibrahimović’s iconic style, leaving goalkeeper Peter Vindahl Jensen helpless.
The crowd erupted, and Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola was left in awe. "I have no idea how he did that," Guardiola admitted in disbelief after the match. "This shouldn't be normal for a human, what a fantastic goal." The backheel goal was the latest addition to Haaland's ever-growing highlight reel and served as a reminder of just how special a player the Norwegian is. Guardiola couldn’t help but recall a similar wonder goal Haaland scored back in September 2022, during a Champions League match against Borussia Dortmund. "I don’t know which one is more difficult," he mused. "I’d say they are both equally tough."
It wasn’t just Guardiola who marveled at Haaland’s genius. His teammate Phil Foden also struggled to comprehend what he had witnessed. "If I tried that, I’d tear everything," Foden joked, acknowledging the physicality of Haaland’s effort. "I have no idea how he did that; I think he just has long legs. He’s a freak." Foden’s words were both admiration and humor, encapsulating the sense of disbelief Haaland often inspires in those around him.
Former Manchester City striker Jon Macken, now a pundit, shared his thoughts on BBC Radio. "You don’t try that!" Macken exclaimed. "That’s the crazy part you do that in training when you’re messing around a bit. Not in a serious moment like this. It means that this was really his intention; it was very deliberate." Macken’s commentary highlighted the audacity of the goal Haaland had not only executed a highly technical move but done so with purpose and precision in a high-stakes Champions League match.
For Sparta Prague’s coach, Lars Friis, the goal was nothing short of demoralizing. "Well, what can you say?" Friis shrugged after the match. "He’s the best striker in the world. We felt like we had him under control, but then he suddenly does this." Haaland’s ability to create something from nothing left even his opponents conceding his greatness, recognizing that sometimes, there’s simply nothing you can do to stop him.
Top Scorers List
Haaland’s extraordinary form in the Champions League is making headlines across the footballing world. With his two goals against Sparta Prague, the Norwegian striker continued his meteoric rise up the all-time top scorers' list in the competition. In doing so, Haaland has now overtaken Didier Drogba, a legendary figure in the tournament’s history. What’s even more remarkable is the rate at which Haaland is accumulating goals. His scoring ratio is staggering he has now scored more goals in the competition than he has played games, a feat very few players can boast of.
Currently, both Lionel Messi and Robert Lewandowski sit just below Haaland in terms of scoring efficiency, with averages of 0.79 goals per game. However, Haaland’s average is a jaw-dropping 1.05 goals per game, a statistic that underscores his dominance on Europe’s biggest stage. At just 24 years old, Haaland is rapidly approaching the top ten all-time Champions League scorers, and it seems inevitable that he will soon claim a spot among the competition’s greatest legends.
With each passing game, Haaland continues to break records and redefine expectations, and if his current trajectory continues, there’s no telling how high he could climb by the end of his career. For now, both fans and opponents alike are left in awe of the "freak" who is taking the football world by storm.
Updated: 10:13, 24 Oct 2024
