Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola says Erling Haaland will not be the telling difference in ending their European hoodoo this season - highlighting the importance of a watertight defence instead.
25.02.2023 - 10:57 / manchestereveningnews.co.uk
Manchester City are playing to their strengths, Pep Guardiola insists, even if that may come across as a side that doesn't take enough risks to find Erling Haaland in recent games.
City have lost just once in eight games, but have been held by both Nottingham Forest and RB Leipzig this week despite having 35 attempts on goal in the two 1-1 draws. In both games, City have struggled to get Haaland involved in the game, and were criticised in some quarters for not taking enough risks in those games - especially at Leipzig.
However, Guardiola hit back and said City should have won 5-0 at Forest, while he defended his more cautious tactics at Leipzig and took responsibility for Haaland's quiet week.
ALSO READ: Pep Guardiola explains why Man City haven't been passing to Erling Haaland as much
"Absolutely the coach [is responsible]. We share our faults together, its nicer," he said. "We cannot forget we play a lot, years, without a proper striker, Sergio [Aguero], Gabriel [Jesus], false nine. We don't pay more attention there, now with the one we need a little bit more.
"We need a lot of control, people don't want to take risks. If you put the ball inside with a lot of players is a risk pass. That’s why it's my fault, absolutely.
"It's perspective, if we get the ball and he has seven players with him, I play the ball there [wide]. Now wheres Erling? Six players [on him] – so I play the ball here [wide] instead. If he's alone I have to play with him."
Asked if City take enough risks in those situations to find Haaland, Guardiola launched into a lengthy defence, insisting that statistics and scorelines don't always paint the full picture.
He used last season's dominant Champions League last-16 win at Sporting, and Manchester
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola says Erling Haaland will not be the telling difference in ending their European hoodoo this season - highlighting the importance of a watertight defence instead.
Pep Guardiola said he gave no thought to Erling Haaland's chances of scoring a double hat-trick in Manchester City's huge win over RB Leipzig, when he substituted the striker on five goals.
Erling Haaland has revealed he told Pep Guardiola he wanted to score a double hat-trick after being taken off on five goals against RB Leipzig.
Pep Guardiola insists Manchester City's experience will count for nothing during the Premier League run-in and that the desire fuelling Arsenal's late winners is something that the Blues can't match.
Paris Saint-Germain have an 'interest' in Erling Haaland, according to reports.
Manuel Pellegrini returned to Manchester on Thursday evening as Real Betis manager as his side resumed their Europa League campaign.
Pep Guardiola could foresee Julian Alvarez's role in Manchester City's win at Crystal Palace well before the Argentine was introduced alongside matchwinner Erling Haaland.
Pep Guardiola doesn't feel the need to remind his Manchester City players of their responsibilities as professional footballers in light of the indecent exposure allegations against Kyle Walker.
Pep Guardiola has indicated that it may be harder for players to work their way back into the first team in the final months of the season.
City's Cancelo stance
Manchester City ace Julian Alvarez has admitted that he "observes" teammate Erling Haaland in an attempt to learn from the Norwegian frontman.
Pep Guardiola claimed the Manchester City have been treated unfairly by Premier League referees when it comes to timewasting.
Guardiola speaks out on Kompany's return
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola provided us with updates on the fitness of John Stones, Stefan Ortega and Aymeric Laporte on Friday.
Here are your Manchester City evening headlines on Wednesday, March 1.
Manchester City are back in action this midweek as they resume their FA Cup campaign.
Jamie Redknapp believes that Manchester City's defensive changes could cost them the Premier League title this season.
Manchester City supporters are still confused by Pep Guardiola's decision not to make any substitutions in the Blues' 1-1 draw with RB Leipzig in the Champions League on Wednesday night.
Pep Guardiola got his Manchester City players together on the pitch at full time at RB Leipzig to tell them to keep their heads up.
Joao Cancelo has strongly refuted claims he was difficult to his teammates or any staff in the build-up to his sudden Manchester City exit in January.