Pep Guardiola wants Erling Haaland to be ‘relaxed’ for City success

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola feels Erling Haaland’s body language was not great in the first half against Everton. The first half went goalless as Everton came up with a strong defensive game to keep City at bay.

However, the Norwegian forward was able to break the deadlock as he found the back of the net in the 71st minute with a thunderous strike from a corner. Haaland was able to put the game to bed as he scored his second in the 85th minute.

Haaland recently missed almost two months with a broken bone in his foot but has hit the ground running.

“Erling is young, playing in the most difficult position on the pitch surrounded by four or five players with minor space,” Guardiola told a news conference on Monday. “In the first half [against Everton] maybe we didn’t have the special delivery players, like Kevin [De Bruyne] for example, who can find him. In that moment he has to be positive. It will come.

“When he scored a goal, he reacted but he doesn’t need to score because he helps us for many things. Not just score a goal.

“Back [after two months out] is not easy and he’s a huge competitor who wants to score goals. Ok, I know that, we know that, so relax.”

Meanwhile, Manchester City won their maiden UEFA Champions League title in the previous season and will be eyeing to defend their crow. The Spaniard is optimistic that his team can once again go all the way in Europe’s most prestigious football tournament.

“When I arrived eight years ago I had the feeling maybe this competition was too much for us,” said Guardiola. “Our defeats and bad moments helped us to grow up and being in the position we are — two finals and one semifinal in the last three years — the whole club has awareness that we can try to be ourselves.

“Before, I felt they were saying ‘are you sure Pep? Are we ready to do it?’

“Now the whole organisation believes we can do it.”

Meanwhile, Haaland has scored 16 goals in the ongoing season so far. Manchester City will next play against Copenhagen in the first leg of the round of 16 on Tuesday night.