Football
Prior to the Champions League Final, Haaland is “Not Stressed” by the goal drought.
Erling Haaland, who has had 52 goals in his first season at Manchester City, says he is “not stressed” about his little goal drought ahead of Saturday’s Champions League final against Inter Milan.
The Norwegian, who also won the FA Cup, broke the Premier League record most goals in a season with 36 and has helped City get within one victory of a historic treble.
Although Haaland has only scored once in his last seven games, a four-game goalless run is the longest of his City career to date.
“You can think of it as one goal in seven games or 52 goals in 52 games and eight assists, I believe (he has nine),” remarked Haaland. “There are two ways to think about it. I’m not anxious. I feel fantastic.
“I didn’t anticipate scoring this many goals, but I still think I could have. I have been blowing several opportunities to score, so I may have had more. That is the reality.
Prior to Haaland’s transfer from Borussia Dortmund to City last year, City was already the dominating domestic force in English football.
However, the English champions still need to win over Europe, and his acquisition was considered as the missing link that would bring Champions League success.
“I feel pressure, of course. If I said I didn’t, I’d be lying,” the 22-year-old claimed.
“You say it yourself, and it’s true; they won every trophy without me, including the Premier League.
I will try my best to do something that the club has never done before while I’m here.
To win in Istanbul and become just the second team to win the Premier League, FA Cup, and Champions League in the same season, City are overwhelming favorites to defeat the Italian powerhouses.
Four years ago, Pep Guardiola’s team made history by becoming the first group to win the Premier League, FA Cup, and League Cup in England.
And according to Haaland, it should come as no surprise that City is close to matching Manchester United’s feat of winning the treble in 1998–1999.
The Norwegian responded, “Of course I wouldn’t think of it if you had said this scenario before the season.”
“But once more, when you consider the team, how close they have been to winning every single trophy in every single season, it’s not as if it hasn’t been conceivable.
Ever since I arrived here, we have had confidence in our abilities. only one game remains.