Once again disappointing during a big match with Manchester City, Erling Haaland reaped a harvest of criticism after his club's road trip against Real Madrid.
After a thunderous first season with Manchester City, Erling Haaland started the 2023-2024 financial year in the same way. With one goal after another, the Norwegian giant has kept a cruising pace which means that after thirty-nine matches, in all competitions, this year it has thirty-one goals and six assists. Problem: he's not as effective when it comes to big games. Thus, his performance during the double duel between the Cityzens at Real Madrid, in the quarter-finals of the Champions League, is currently earning him serious criticism.
In England, the Dailymail for example gave him a rating of 6.5, which is actually the worst for a City player on Wednesday evening, after the defeat and elimination on penalties against Madrid. In France, the verdict is still less lenient since The Team did not push higher than a 4, again the worst mark of the Mancunian squad. Apart from a header pushed back by the Madrid crossbar, the former Borussia Dortmund player failed to impact the game, and even less to find the fault. Enough to get people talking and questioning.
A problem during big matches
Journalist at ParisianDominique Sévérac summed up what he thought of the center forward’s performance: “ A divorce was also recorded in the first leg. In big matches there is always this problem. Because last year, they went to the final, they won it, they deserved it, it's still a little transparent. And then it's two matches, for me, it's two non-matches, with any calls, there's nothing decisive. It's a heavy presence in the surface, which doesn't do much good. Yes, there is a header on the bar, but you have the right from time to time, when you are an attacker, to put a header on the bar. »
And the observer concludes: “ He lacked success (…) but for me it is insufficient, given his level, that he is a candidate for the Ballon d'Or, that he was second this year. So that's not worthy of a second one. » If, in his defense, Erling Haaland was not helped by Real Madrid's ultra-tight and efficient defensive system, he will once again have to face criticism of his performances during important matches.
