Guardiola Responds to Haaland’s Critics, Says Striker “Is Going to Score Goals All His Life”

After Erling Haaland opened his Champions League account of the season against Young Boys yesterday, Pep Guardiola has praised the striker for an incredible professional start.

The Norwegian restored City’s lead yesterday, after Manuel Akanji’s opener was equalized before he scored a second to seal City’s third win in three games in Group G of this season’s UCL so far.

“He has the pressure from what happened last season. Not just last season,” Guardiola reacted post-match.

He added: “He has to score seven goals every single game and it is impossible.

“He is happy. He scored a lot of goals. People want him to fail after scoring 52 goals.

“Maybe in the right moment of the season, he will be there even better than now. In the Champions League again he is there.

“We are really pleased he is a guy with hunger. He is so humble. He is an incredible professional. He is a great competitor.

“He is involved in the games and participates more in our process. I don’t want him to just be there in the box and score goals.

“If he is there involved when we arrive in the box he will be more clever. I have no doubts and he has a desire to improve.”

Since his debut in the Champions League, Erling Haaland has now scored 37 goals in just 33 Champions League appearances.