2023-08-12 11:12:03
Defending champion Manchester City made a successful comeback to the Premier League on Friday at promoted Burnley (3-0) with a brace from the insatiable Erling Haaland in the first half. The Citizens and their 23-year-old Norwegian striker have not lost their good habits, in the hostile Turf Moor full to the brim, with crushing possession and the most bleeding chances.
The evening was especially marked by a surrealist scene. At halftime, as the Citizens returned to the locker room, Pep Guardiola rushed to his striker to pull up his suspenders. An explanation in front of a camera that the City manager will end up diverting with virulence.
According to the English media, Guardiola criticized Haaland for his attitude when he had just criticized Bernardo Silva for not having launched him in depth and for having preferred to play short with another partner.
“We just have to not stress, relax and focus on ourselves”
Not resentful, the former center forward of Borussia Dortmund greeted his coach when he left in the 80th minute. By scoring two goals, he largely fulfilled his contract and started his season perfectly. The Norwegian was expected at the turn after a fairly transparent Community Shield on his part last Sunday at Wembley during the defeat against Arsenal on penalties.
Not resentful, Haaland greeted his coach when he left. Photo by Icon Sport Xinhua / Icon Sport
Friday’s success is more in line with his past season, the first in England, which he closed with 36 league goals, and 52 in all competitions. Candidate for the Ballon d’Or, can he imagine being able to do even better? “If you think about it too much, you go a little crazy in your head,” Haaland evacuated after the game at broadcaster Sky Sports. “We are still at the start of this marathon, we just have to not stress, relax and focus on ourselves. »
Without too many balls to eat, Haaland transformed the crumbs collected into a real feast, offering himself a double as he did for his inaugural match in the Premier League last season, against West Ham (2-0 ).
He first turned into gold a ball straightened at the far post with a header from Rodri, the scorer in the Champions League final won in June against Inter Milan, just over three minutes after the kick. dispatch (4th, 1-0).
He did it again half an hour later on a service from Julian Alvarez that was perfectly exploited: perfect body balance and uncontrolled curling shot, from the left, entered with the help of the crossbar (36th, 2-0). The Norwegian giant, with an often expressionless face, even smiled for the occasion…
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