Erling Haaland again was talked about in the Champions League. At just 25 years old, he scored his 50th goal in 49 games with Manchester City, Thursday against Naples (2-0) on the sidelines of the first day of the league phase, exceeding Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé in this competition.
However, behind these impressive statistics hides a surprisingly shy start to the season. With only five achievements in four Premier League matches, Haaland has known his least prolific departure to Manchester City since his arrival in the summer of 2022, as highlighted The team.
Historical comparisons highlight this gap even more with its previous performances. During his first two seasons at the Sky Blues, he had already scored six goals in the first four days. Last year, he started even stronger with nine achievements, including two triplets and a double.
Red alert for City
Haaland remains a regular at the thunderous beginnings. Its first exercise with City remains a model of regularity and efficiency: 36 goals in 35 games, a ratio superior to one goal per meeting. Since then, its dazzling seasonal openings have never been completely confirmed over time, and this start of exercise is an unexpected alarm signal.
The next test promises to be crucial. Manchester City moves to Arsenal this Sunday (5.30 p.m.). Haaland will have to regain his usual pace so as not to see his “goal machine” wavering at the worst moment of the season, especially since the Norwegian particularly appreciates this opponent: he marked four times in three seasons against the Gunners, each confrontation except in 2023-2024.
