Guardiola Calls Haaland Will Be Even More Dangerous Next Season

Jakarta, Beritasatu.com – Manchester City coach, Pep Guardiola, has warned opponents that striker Erling Haaland will be even more dangerous next season.

The 22-year-old striker has again shown his sharpness in pre-season matches. The Norwegian returns from holiday just as hungry for goals as ever. The Manchester City forward featured in a friendly against Yokohama Marinos, and scored twice in his first club game since the Champions League final.

The former Molde, Salzburg and Borussia Dortmund player only needed two touches to score. What’s more, he came on at half-time, and within seven minutes had already scored a goal, which made Pep Guardiola happy.

“Compared to this time last year? He is much fitter than when he arrived. He looks good, but he is still far from the best, like everyone else,” said Guardiola.

Haaland has scored more goals (2 goals) than he did in the first three games of last pre-season when he scored just one goal.

Guardiola said the success of scoring this goal was important for Haaland in preparation for the new season. “The most important thing for him is to score because in the last game last season he didn’t score,” said the Spaniard.

Guardiola’s words refer to Haaland’s performance last season when he only scored one goal in his last eight matches.

Even so, he ended the season with 52 goals in all competitions, 36 in the Premier League, a league record. The number of goals he scored also contributed greatly to Man City’s success in winning three titles.

“What is important is the rhythm and the principles we are working on. We know him and in a few weeks we will be in better shape,” said Guardiola.

In the match against Yokohama Marinos in Tokyo, Man City won 5-3. The defending Premier League champions had trailed 0-2 earlier after their goals were broken by A Lopes and K Matsubara. However, Man City got up and replied and turned to win thanks to goals from John Stones, Julian Alvarez, Haaland (2 goals), and Rodri.

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