Following Manchester City’s comeback win against Borussia Dortmund, Erling Haaland approved of the team’s overall performance in the latter stages of the second-half.
City’s Champions League clash against the Bundesliga side was anything but easy, as the German outfit clamped down on the defending Premier League champions throughout most of the game.
The pace was intense, with both teams taking turns driving the ball down the pitch, which made the fixture feel similar to how their last meeting went during the knock-out stages of the 2020/21 Champions League campaign.
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The first-half saw both teams re-enter their dressing rooms without a goal, but this would not last long in to the second-half, as Jude Bellingham gave the Black and Yellow side the lead in the 56th minute.
The young Englishman headed the ball into the back of the net off of a Marco Reus ball on the edge of Manchester City penalty area, breaking through both former teammates Erling Haaland and Manuel Akanji.
Bellingham’s goal would frustrate Pep Guardiola to the point of making three immediate changes, as Phil Foden, Julian Alvarez, and Bernardo Silva all came on to provide Manchester City with a set of fresh legs.
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However, being down a goal did not take away any of City's composure, as John Stones beamed the ball into the back of the net from distance in the 80th minute, scoring his 15th career goal, bringing the game level.
Fresh off of the heels of the Manchester City defender’s goal, Erling Haaland put his side ahead after scoring an acrobatic goal from a Joao Cancelo delivery.
Haaland’s 13th goal of the season would end up being the difference in the match against his former side.
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When discussing the battle after the game, Erling Haaland expressed his pride in the style of play which Manchester City executed in the final minutes of the game.
"In the end, we showed what we are, this is what we are and this is how we have to play,” said the Norwegian international.
“I’m proud of the last 20-25 minutes.”
Humour has always been a part of how the Cityzen’s new striker has conducted himself during interviews, and his thoughts on his own goal, as well as Stones' equalising strike, was more of the same.
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“Two wonderful goals today, mine was a bit better honestly!” said Haaland.
Wednesday night marked the first game in which the Norwegian striker has played against his former side after the summer transfer, which posed to be somewhat of a challenge, as the side knew how to mark the Sky Blues' number nine.
“I was quite sure I was going to be followed the whole game because Edin (Borussia Dortmund boss, Terzic) knows me very well,” said Haaland.
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“Dortmund were really good today.”
Topics: Erling Haaland, Manchester City, Borussia Dortmund, Premier League, Bundesliga, Champions League
Declan Harris