Erling Haaland says Manchester City must “step up” if they are to mount a serious challenge for trophies this season. The Norwegian’s late winner securing a dramatic 3-2 Champions League victory away at RB Leipzig on Wednesday night.
City twice surrendered the lead in Germany before Haaland struck to settle the contest, moving Enzo Maresca’s side into the top eight of the competition’s League Phase table.
But the manner of the win – with defensive frailties on show once again and goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma caught out for Leipzig’s opener – left the club’s star forward unimpressed, even in victory.
“I think we need to step up a bit, when we were 1-0 up I think we needed to go at it, go for the second goal and then the third – that’s what we have to do. We have to work on that,” Haaland said, speaking to TNT Sports as reported by Manchester Evening News
Pressed on what specifically needed to improve, the striker was characteristically direct.
“Keeping the ball, when to keep it when to go, working together offensively and defensively. You can always be better and there’s always a new chance. A new game in three days so that’s lovely,” he added.
A pattern City cannot afford to repeat
It is becoming a familiar theme under Maresca. City have shown they possess the quality to find a way through difficult nights, but the Italian head coach’s side have repeatedly allowed opponents back into games they appeared to have under control.
Against Leipzig, City twice let slip advantages before Haaland’s intervention settled matters, continuing a pattern that has surfaced throughout the opening months of Maresca’s reign at the Etihad.
Donnarumma’s error for the home side’s opener will also raise questions, with the Italian goalkeeper still finding his feet in Manchester following his move.
For a club with ambitions on multiple fronts domestically and in Europe, the margin for such lapses is thin, and Haaland’s comments suggest the dressing room is well aware of it.
Anderson praised as City’s new recruit continues to impress
There was, however, plenty for City to be encouraged by, not least the continued development of Elliot Anderson, who joined the club in the summer and set up Haaland’s winner in Leipzig.
The midfielder has quickly made himself at home in Manchester, and Haaland did not hold back in his praise.
“He has been amazing, he has had an amazing start to his City career and that is what you expect,” Haaland said.
“You have to come straight in and perform. It is not easy to come in, you need to adapt and new players and a new coach, so he has been impressive. Respect.”
Anderson’s adaptation has come alongside wider changes at the club, with Maresca still bedding in his own methods after succeeding Pep Guardiola.
Haaland’s reference to a “new coach” alongside new players is a reminder that City remain a side in transition, even if results have, for the most part, continued to go their way.
