Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has shared his reaction regarding Erling Haaland’s anger after Man City draw against Monaco. The City boss admitted he understands his striker’s frustration but prefers to keep such emotions “in the basement,” choosing to handle disappointment privately within the team.
The result saw City drop valuable points after conceding a late equaliser despite Haaland’s brace, which took his tally to 11 goals for the season. The Norwegian star did not hide his emotions post-match, delivering a brutally honest assessment that contrasted sharply with Guardiola’s and captain Bernardo Silva’s more composed tone.
Haaland’s Frustration After Late Setback
In the aftermath of the 2-2 draw, Haaland voiced his dissatisfaction during multiple post-match interviews. The Norwegian forward said he was “****** off” and criticised the team’s performance, claiming they were “not being good enough” after failing to secure victory.
City had twice taken the lead through Haaland’s goals but were pegged back each time, with Monaco’s late strike denying Guardiola’s side a perfect start to their Champions League campaign.
The forward’s comments reflected his high expectations and winning mentality, but they also sparked questions about the difference in tone between him and his manager.
While Haaland was visibly irritated, Guardiola and Bernardo Silva opted for a calmer reflection. The City captain hinted that several decisions during the game had gone against them and suggested that, despite the disappointment, the team’s overall display contained many positives.
Guardiola, who has always been known for his composed demeanour in public, was asked about Haaland’s emotional response during his pre-match press conference on Friday. After pausing for a moment, the Spaniard chose his words carefully before offering his perspective.
“I like when they are like this,” Guardiola said. “I don’t know… My feelings about the team when it’s bad… in front of you I don’t like to express it.”
Rather than criticising Haaland, Guardiola made it clear that he appreciates players who care deeply about results. However, he also explained his own philosophy when it comes to addressing disappointment, emphasising that emotional reactions are better handled internally rather than through the media.
“I like to have it to myself, my players, in the basement. I like to share it there. All of us were [angry]. We want to win but we couldn’t do it,” he added.
Guardiola Stresses Balance and Perspective
Despite Erling Haaland‘s anger after Man City draw, Guardiola pointed to the positives in City’s performance. The team created numerous chances and could have sealed victory had they converted one of their late opportunities. For Guardiola, the draw was a reminder of the fine margins in elite European competition.
“We did many, many good things. The other things we can do better. It’s normal in the process. We’ll work on it. We had chances to score the third and it’s not a problem,” he said.
The manager’s response reflected his usual approach to adversity — calm, analytical, and focused on long-term improvement. Rather than dwell on individual frustration, Guardiola preferred to emphasise collective effort and learning.
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Under Guardiola, Manchester City have built a reputation for responding strongly after setbacks. The Catalan coach has often spoken about the importance of maintaining emotional control, especially in a long season where consistency is key. His message following the draw was clear: frustration is natural, but progress comes through composure and reflection.
For Haaland, whose passion and competitiveness have been evident since his arrival at the Etihad, the draw represented another example of his relentless desire to win. While his public criticism may have surprised some, Guardiola’s reaction suggested he values that edge — provided it is channelled productively.
Manchester City will now shift their focus to domestic action as they prepare to face Brentford. The Sky Blues can extend their unbeaten streak to seven matches if they avoid defeat, having won four and drawn two since returning from the September international break.
However, those two draws — both involving late equalisers — highlight a recurring issue that Guardiola’s side will aim to fix. For a team used to controlling matches from start to finish, conceding late goals has become a rare but frustrating trend.
