Erling Haaland silences critics and sets himself a sensational goalscoring target following Borussia Dortmund victory

Manchester City’s match-winner against Borussia Dortmund Erling Haaland, has hit back at critics of his lack of touches. 

In Erling Haaland’s second game for Manchester City, a 4-0 win against AFC Bournemouth, the 22 year-old drew widespread criticism for just taking a mere eight touches throughout the contest.

Despite setting up Ilkay Gundogan’s opener with a wonderful assist, the Norwegian striker’s lack of involvement in the clash was questioned, as he also failed to get on the scoresheet in the match.

Since the game against the Cherries, the former Borussia Dortmund superstar has gone on to score 11 goals for the Sky Blues in all competitions.

While the world raves about Haaland’s instant impact at his new side, it is easy to forget that at one point, many were critical for his lack of touches in matches. 

In City’s latest 2-1 victory over Borussia Dortmund, the 22-year old, was once again on the periphery of things delivered when it mattered, scoring an immaculately-taken acrobatic finish to settle the tie in the 84th minute. 

Quizzed about the debate around his dearth of touches in the game and in general, Erling Haaland had a sharp response to silence his critics after the contest.

“People maybe talk about that I don't touch the ball enough, but I don't care.

“I know what I'm going to do, what I have to do, and this is exactly what I'll keep doing. 

“My dream is to touch the ball five times and score five goals," he said in a post-match interview with beIN SPORTS.

Even in Haaland’s finest outings for Manchester City so far, a few number of touches have been part and parcel of his impressive performances.

For instance, in his second successive hat-trick for the Premier League champions against Nottingham Forest, Haaland’s opener from close quarters was his first touch in the entire game, which came as late as in the 12th minute.

However, the numbers make a case for the inarguable brilliance of City’s number new nine.

The Norwegian has registered 13 goals and one assist in seven games for the club, scoring in six successive matches.

Haaland scored on both his Premier League and Champions League debut, as the 22 year-old scored a brace against Sevilla in the opening group stage game last week.

Pep Guardiola's side are now three points clear in Group G, courtesy of goals from John Stones and Haaland on Wednesday night.

Ultimately, Erling Haaland is one of the most positionally disciplined players in the world, which means the generational talent rarely veers away from inside the box, and as his comments suggest, he realises that his primary job is to put the ball in the back of the net.