Erling Haaland scored two goals in the first-half of Manchester City’s Premier League opener against Burnley, but manager Pep Guardiola did not seem that impressed
Pep Guardiola confronted Erling Haaland at half-time (Image: Sky Sports)NEWSPOLITICSFOOTBALLCELEBSTVROYALSMONEY
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola had some heated words for Erling Haaland at half-time during their game against Burnley, despite the striker netting a first-half brace.
Haaland netted 52 goals in 53 appearances in a record-breaking debut campaign as he helped City win a historic Treble last season and duly picked up where he left off on opening night at Turf Moor.
It took just four minutes for the Norwegian international to give City the lead against Burnley, before promptly scoring a second just over half an hour later. However, Guardiola did not seem happy with Haaland at half-time, storming onto the pitch and ranting at him.
Moments before the break, Haaland had himself fumed at Bernardo Silva when he wanted a quick ball played down the channel in his quest for more goals, only for the Portuguese to turn back and keep possession. It was that which seemingly drew the ire of the City boss, who steamed into the giant Norwegian, gesticulating and appearing to tell him that with one minute, what Haaland had wanted “was totally the opposite”.
After realising there was a Sky Sports camera there to catch the exchange, Guardiola also shoved it away before turning his attention back to Haaland.
“There’ll be some people who’ll love the intensity of that and say that that’s why he’s the best manager on the planet,” former Manchester United defender Gary Neville said of the incident.
“Then there’ll be others who will say that you shouldn’t do that in a public forum, grabbing his arm in front of the cameras. I played for one of the most intense managers in the history of the game [Sir Alex Ferguson] – but he’d have never done that on the pitch in such a way.”
Ex-Manchester City midfielder Izzy Christiansen, however, defended Guardiola’s actions. “Gary, he’s a perfectionist,” she said. “He’s looking for a reaction, looking for a response.
“Haaland doesn’t flinch, he’s just taking it in I think.”
The Manchester City boss also shoved the Sky Sports camera after realising the exchange was being filmed ( Image: Sky Sports)
Speaking post-game, player of the match Haaland was asked about the incident. He said: “I try to focus everyday, and I say it all the time that it’s a pleasure to work with Pep. I have to keep on developing because I’m still young.
“I don’t think there’s anyone better to learn from. That incident was from the last action, because I got a bit mad at Bernardo [Silva] for not playing me in so he got a bit angry with me! But no, it’s a good start for the first game.”Guardiola similarly played down the incident, telling Sky: “He wants all the time ball to him, ball to him. He wants the ball in behind. Erling wanted that ball and Bernardo was right not to give it to him. He scored two goals, I think he’s happy.”
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Earlier in the game, City suffered what could prove to be a major blow as Kevin de Bruyne was forced off with an injury.
The City skipper limped off the pitch after just 20 minutes of play, having had a limited role during pre-season as he recovered from an injury sustained in the Champions League final win over Inter Milan.
“You hope it’s not the hamstring issue from the Champions League final because if it’s a recurring injury, then it gets even worse,” Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher said on commentary for Sky Sports.
“If it’s a new injury, then it’s simply bad luck. We’ve seen that quality he’s shown us already, but here’s the new man from Chelsea, Mateo Kovacic.”
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