No Stopping Haaland, No Stopping City

Brentford start early at Etihad…

Brentford was travelling to Manchester to face defending Champions Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium, City’s impregnable fortress. The Bees were one of the few teams to have beaten City at their home ground. They had achieved this feat two years ago and with a good start to their campaign this season (barring a loss to Liverpool), the Bees were looking to create an upset. Y. Wissa scored for Brentford in the very first minute with a simple header in front of goal after some soft defensive play from City. The signs were ominous, City were behind very early, but Erling Haaland had other ideas.

…But City Turn The Tables

Manchester City are one of the most resilient teams in the competition and the sting of the Bees in the very first minute shook them up real good. Erling Haaland equalised in the 19th minute and scored again in the 32nd minute to give  City the lead. In the second half, City pushed on and unleashed a barrage of shots on the Brentford goal. Had it not been for some scintillating saves from M.Flekken, the Brentford Goalkeeper, the scoreline would have looked much different from the final 2-1 scoreline. Brentford gave a good account of themselves, but Manchester City were just too good for them. The presence of  Erling Haaland in City’s lineup critically tilted the scale and created a huge imbalance in favour of the defending Champions. 

The Incredible Haaland

Erling Haaland has been phenomenal scoring 9 goals already in just 4 games this season. He has hardly missed any opportunity to score. His anticipation of the ball and ability to be at the right place at the right time is incredible. His control with the ball when in striking distance is exemplary. The accuracy, power and exquisite finishing even from difficult angles are truly remarkable. Erling Haaland is a huge frame and no wonder when he moves with the ball,  he can be intimidating.

His physical presence is massive and is difficult to stop in one-to-one tackles. However what impresses me the most is his hunger for goals which actually drives him to score more, than miss chances. It is such a gift that even from meagre opportunities, Haaland is able to get his name on the score sheet. Strategic planning becomes that much easier if you have a player of the calibre of  Haaland in your ranks. Manchester City has no dearth of talent when it comes to scoring and therefore they are too dangerous a side and will be difficult to dislodge from their fierce perch at the top.

Savinho – The One To Watch Out For

Savinho, the young Brazilian in the City team too impressed me with his speed and control from the right flank. He has a powerful left foot too and should have scored for City against Brentford. Even though these are early days in the 24/25 season, Manchester City look by far the best for the crown. The variety and depth in their squad is telling and with Gundogan too back in their fold (just after a year)  I don’t see them running into any rough weather in their flight for another EPL Title. 

No Stopping City, No Stopping Haaland!

To read more about Erling Haaland, click here, and to watch his goals towards Brentford click here.

Read Quick, Read Better @ rizkhan.in