Haaland has proven repeatedly that he has an ability to cope with pressure and huge expectations. “You came and ruined everything” But in a recent interview with Manchester City’s own podcast, the Norwegian opens up about whether he actually felt the enormous pressure on his body when he signed for City and left Dortmund. – The club had won the Premier League the two previous seasons (before I arrived), so there was a lot of pressure just there. We were behind (Arsenal) for 247 or 249 days or something like that, so there was also pressure. If I had come here, without us having won the Premier League, it would have been like “you came and ruined everything”, says Haaland in the podcast. BACK: Erling Braut Haaland is back in earnest after a long injury break. Photo: CARL RECINE / Reuters However, he exceeded expectations to that degree. Both the Premier League, the FA Cup and the Champions League were won at the first attempt. – It was unreal to win the treble in my first season, says Jærbuen. Now he is hunting more precious metal, and if City is to be able to replicate the treble, FC Copenhagen must be defeated in the round of 16 in the Champions League. Who will advance to the quarter-finals? City FC Copenhagen Show result In the park before Tuesday’s highly interesting match, Haaland is praised for his mental qualities by manager Pep Guardiola. – Erling could feel it When asked by news about Haaland’s mental strength, and how he has become so good at handling pressure, the City manager embarks on a two-minute long monologue. – He joined a team that had won two Premier League titles. But he adapted very well. We have an incredible group that really welcomes new players in a good way. As with Jeremy Doku, Matheus Nunes and Mateo Kovacic now. It takes two days, no one day, then they are part of the group. It helps to have an incredible captain, people and support staff here. Erling could feel it, Guardiola begins to news. ROSER HAALAND: Pep Guardiola met the press in Copenhagen before Tuesday’s big game in Parken. Photo: Egil Sande / news Received Guardiola’s advice On inhalation and exhalation, Guardiola speaks warmly about how they welcomed the arrival in a way that facilitated success: – When he arrived I immediately told him, “you are part of this , now you just have to play. You have time, you didn’t come for a few days, you signed a contract for several seasons”. And the team never put pressure on him to score a lot of goals. He was told to do what he can and the rest would come naturally. And he handled it perfectly, says the City boss. – It does not affect him. Teammate Nathan Aké is also full of admiration for Haaland’s mental strength. – I don’t think he lets anything affect the way he is. Occasionally when he misses chances, it doesn’t seem to affect him. He tries again with the same confidence. That separates him from the rest, says Aké to news. – He is very mentally strong. He has shown it in recent seasons and I hope he can continue with it, adds Aké. TOOK ACTION: Pep Guardiola spoke to Haaland and told him to lower his shoulders when the storm came to City. Photo: Montaje / news/NTB – Not even Messi or Ronaldo At the weekend, Haaland scored his first two goals since November and showed that he is on course after the longest injury layoff of his City career so far. Guardiola pays tribute to the Norwegian’s mentality. – He is so strong mentally. If he scores one goal, he wants another. And a third. When you see his numbers in the Champions League, for someone his age, they are incredible. Not even Lionel Messi or Cristiano had these numbers at his age, it’s unbelievable. He has scored goals everywhere and has a special mentality. We are delighted to have him here, says Guardiola to news. Haaland has scored an incredible 40 goals in 35 Champions League games and is already in 18th place among goalscorers in the tournament’s history. He has already passed players such as Samuel Eto’o, Antoine Griezmann, Kaká and Wayne Rooney on the list. On Tuesday evening, he can add even more to his numbers against FC Copenhagen. This is what Solbakken thinks about FCK-City National team manager Ståle Solbakken has himself helped to stop Guardiola in the Park as FCK coach. The Norway manager is excited about Tuesday’s thriller in the Danish capital. – FCK almost never lose Champions League games at home in the park, and Guardiola has never won there either. So he’s probably keen on it. FCK are clear underdogs, but there will be a fierce atmosphere around that match. City may have to play a little below par, and FCK have to surpass themselves, but it has happened before, says Solbakken to news. At the weekend, it caused a stir when Haaland received criticism from Guardiola for his body language in the first half against Everton. – His body language in the first instance was not good. Much better in the second half. When he scored his first, his body language changed completely. Everything he did after that was better. He has to learn that even if he doesn’t score, he has to show courage and say “I’m here, I’m screwed,” Guardiola told Viaplay. – The most difficult position on the pitch The criticism became a topic at the press conference before the Copenhagen match. A number of reporters asked questions about the same, and Guardiola had few problems in taking Haaland into defence. – First and foremost, Erling is young, and he plays in the most difficult position on the pitch. As a striker, he is surrounded by four or five players, the spaces are minimal. In the first half the players struggled to find him, he didn’t have Kevin (De Bruyne) there for example. At that moment he had to be positive and think that it would come, begins the City manager. – He must not score, he helps us with many, many things. He has to give up on teammates and contribute to the pressure, this is what we need from Erling. He’s been out for two months, that’s a long time, and he’s so big. Coming back is not easy, added Guardiola. Offensive FCK coach It will take a feat of the rare kind for FCK to reach the quarter-finals. But FCK coach Jacob Nestrup is on the offensive before Tuesday’s thriller. – It is a big test for us, but as I said to the players: What is the most difficult? To win against Manchester City or advance from a Champions League group with, Galatasaray, Manchester United and Bayern Munich? Four and a half games into that group stage we were 0-2 down against United and needed seven points in the last two and a half games. I put it in that perspective, says Nestrup at the press conference before the match. As you know, the Danes turned around 0-2 and finally won 4-3 at home against United. It gives confidence before the meeting with the other team from Manchester. – We face a major power, but have great faith in ourselves. I really don’t care how good they are. They are good, but I trust my players so much, emphasizes the FCK coach. Kick-off on Tuesday evening is 21.00. The match is broadcast on TV 2 Sport Premium.
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“You came and destroyed everything” – news Sport – Sports news, results and broadcasting schedule
