Erling Haaland’s biggest problem at Manchester City revealed by Thierry Henry

Henry’s analysis delved into Haaland’s playing style, pinpointing a crucial flaw in the striker’s game. He emphasized Haaland’s habit of getting into physical duels with defenders, which limits his ability to maneuver and exploit space effectively. By staying square on to defenders and engaging in physical battles, Haaland fails to create the necessary distance to receive the ball and execute scoring opportunities.

“I always say that I’ve seen strikers not scoring but playing really well for the team away from home and doing exactly what you need to for your team away from home, or even at home,” Henry said. “But more often than not you judge a striker for his goals – fair enough, we already know that. People can get better and I believe in that. But there is one thing that he doesn’t do ever so well, and he’s always shoulder to shoulder with the defender, so you can go like this, and get your foot around. But if you are like this [square on, hand on defender’s shoulder] there is no way you can get that ball now. I’ve created a distance, you can’t get the ball. Even at three-quarters, you can protect the ball. Afterwards, it’s all about your quality, but you can’t let the defender get their leg around you, or get an arm around you, you have to grab it first then dictate.”

Further compounding Haaland’s woes, L’Equipe branded him as the “Flop of the Match” and assigned him a dismal rating of 3/10. The French sports daily criticized Haaland for his inability to integrate seamlessly into Manchester City’s gameplay and questioned his progress in adapting to the team’s tactics and strategies.

What lies ahead for Erling Haaland and Manchester City

Despite the setback, Haaland remains a vital asset for Manchester City, with his goal-scoring ability often proving decisive in crucial moments. As Pep Guardiola’s star striker, Haaland will view this experience as a learning opportunity to refine his game and address the identified flaws. With the decisive second leg at the Etihad Stadium looming, Haaland will be determined to silence his critics and make a significant impact on the pitch.