The Norwegian national team manager Ståle Solbakken branded the debate as “reckless” a week ago. Then, among others, former Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher hinted that Haaland had possibly chosen the wrong club to bring out his full potential. Carragher continued that discussion in the CBS studio before Wednesday’s Champions League match between RB Leipzig and Manchester City. Carragher was clear that he believes that Haaland’s full repertoire has not been seen at Manchester City. – I feel he sometimes gets frustrated in this Manchester City team, because he doesn’t get the balls early enough. We still don’t see 100 percent of Haaland. We only see 70-80 percent of him at Manchester City, Carragher said. OVERALL TEAM: City manager Pep Guardiola gave Haaland and the other City players a few short messages after the match against RB Leipzig. Photo: ANNEGRET HILSE / Reuters – Looking a little uncomfortable Carragher was quick to emphasize that it was not a criticism of Haaland, who he believes has done fantastically at Manchester City. – You have a brilliant team and perhaps the best striker in the world. You get him into that team and who should change for whom? No. But he has to get used to playing for Manchester City. It’s not a counter-attack-focused team like Borussia Dortmund, but if Manchester City don’t play that ball (in the back room) more often, then they’re wasting Haaland’s talent. They have to meet in the middle, Carragher said. EXPERT: Jamie Carragher. Photo: PETER POWELL / AFP Expert colleague Thierry Henry pointed out for his part that he believes Haaland has a tendency to search for the same spaces time after time, preferably towards the back post. At the same time, Henry believes that Haaland does not have the same qualities in the center of the pitch as, for example, star strikers Harry Kane and Karim Benzema. – He looks a bit uncomfortable when the ball comes to him in situations like this, Henry said. The debate continued in the CBS studio after the match as well, where Carragher asked the question whether City’s chance of winning the Champions League is greater without Haaland. – He is brilliant as soon as the ball enters the box. It’s about getting better and that’s more constructive than destructive, says Henry. One goal in six games After Haaland went off the field goalless against Leipzig on Wednesday, the Norwegian now has “only” one goal in his last six games. – You may have to go through some frustrating periods and matches, says TV 2’s football expert Erik Thorstvedt. – He is 5-10 percent below his maximum level today. At the same time, he does a good job for the team in a difficult away game. A little worse than in his best form, and when the team is not at its best either, he goes scoreless in some games, says expert colleague Morten Langli. RB Leipzig’s Emil Forsberg boasts of Haaland’s movement pattern, but believes the German team did a good job of keeping the Norwegian invisible. – You could see how dangerous Haaland was in the counter-attack, where he was close. But when you can keep him facing the wrong way and put pressure on him, then it’s better, he says to TV 2. See the highlights from Wednesday’s match here: Leipzig fought back In the actual match away to RB Leipzig, Haaland had only seven touches in the first at a time. Manchester City then had full control of the home team and led 1–0 at the break thanks to a goal from Riyad Mahrez. In the second half, it opened up more and Haaland made himself available several times in the back room. When he didn’t get the ball in a situation after 59 minutes, he seemed frustrated down on the grass. – He shakes his head a lot, Haaland. Frustrated at not getting those types of balls into the back room. That is where his great strength lies. He is so good at timing those runs and so hard to stop. He could well have been played there, said TV 2’s expert commentator Jesper Mathisen. He got the ball in the back a few minutes later, but from an angle and with his right foot he sent the shot wide for the goal. It was also Haaland’s first touch of the ball inside the home team’s 16-metre penalty area. MISSED CHANCE: Erling Braut Haaland had the opportunity to send Manchester City into a two-goal lead, but was unable to send the shot on target. Photo: Michael Sohn / AP Instead, it was Leipzig who equalized three minutes later, after 70 minutes played. With keeper Ederson on the move inside the field, centre-back Josko Gvardiol easily headed in 1-1. For Haaland, the match ended without scoring and thus he went off the field in Leipzig scoreless for the first time, after having 22 touches of the ball in the match. During his time playing at Borussia Dortmund, he scored four goals in two games away to Leipzig. The return leg will be played in Manchester on 14 March. In the second match in the Champions League on Wednesday evening, Inter won 1–0 at home against Porto.
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