After Manchester City thumped Erik ten Hag’s United in the Manchester Derby, Pep Guardiola talked about Erling Haaland and Lionel Messi in the post-match press conference. The Spaniard coach pointed out some differences between the Norwegian and Argentina International.
The major difference Pep Guardiola pointed out between the two players he has managed is that the Norwegian striker needs other teammates to strike a goal while Messi had the ability to do it by himself.
Guardiola has worked with Lionel Messi when he was the head coach of the Blaugrana. And teaming up with the Argentinian Wizard, he lifted almost all of the trophies at the club level.
On the other hand, Erling Haaland joined Manchester City this summer from Borussia Dortmund. He was a brilliant young prospect in Germany, and he’s ruling the English Premier League since he arrived in England.
The Norwegian striker has already scored three hat-tricks in just eight matches, quicker than any other player in the whole history of the Premier League. His hat-tricks have come against Crystal Palace, Nottingham Forest and Manchester United.
What does Pep Guardiola have to say about Lionel Messi and Erling Haaland?
Pep Guardiola pointed out a key difference between Erling Haaland and Lionel Messi as he feels that the former Borussia Dortmund striker needs teammates to get on the scoresheet while the Argentina International is capable of doing that on his own.
“The difference is that Erling needs maybe all his mates, you know, to do it. Unbelievable. Messi had the ability for himself to do it,” said Guardiola.
After pointing out the difference, the Spaniard started praising his striker. He praised his brilliant finishing as well as his exceptional instincts to score goals.
“I have said it many times and I will say it again – what Erling (Haaland) is doing he did in Norway, Austria and Germany. The quality we have alongside him helps him score, but what he is doing I didn’t teach him. He has incredible instincts. It comes from his mum and dad. He was born with that,” Guardiola added.
