The weeks follow each other and look alike for Manchester City. The collective continues to inflict beatings on its opponents while their attacker stacks the goals like pearls. This time, it was Copenhagen who paid the price. In 32 minutes, the Norwegian scored two goals for his victims of the day. For their part, the Danes can (a little) thank Guardiola for taking out the cyborg at half-time. This did not prevent them from cashing a scathing 5-0.
A scene will translate better than a great speech the XXL performances of Erling Haaland on the meadows. After the meeting, Jack Grealish explained that he laughed with the opposing goalkeeper. “When I came back after one of his goals, the goalkeeper said something to me: ‘This guy is not human’. I replied that I confirmed”, he explained, amused. “He’s an incredible player. Yet he is so humble. It’s a real pleasure to share a locker room and play with him. I sincerely hope he can continue in this form and lead us to glory.”
After his second goal, Pep Guardiola also had an explicit reaction. The Catalan turned to his bench wondering which player they signed this summer. After the game, he also explained why he replaced his number nine at the break. “Erling played a lot of minutes”, he began. “The match was under control and Cole Palmer is an excellent youngster who had ants in his legs. If the score had been tight, Erling would have continued to play. We have a group of 20 players and we will need everyone. It was better for Haaland to rest to face Southampton. Last year, we weren’t able to beat them. So he can help us.”
After 12 games, he has already scored 19 goals in all competitions. If we take away his first game in the Community Shield, he has been decisive every 39 minutes and 30 seconds since the start of the season. So the Saints can indeed tremble.