In a match that was marred by its one-sidedness, Manchester City proved too strong for Sparta Prague, securing a dominant 5-0 win in the Champions League. But the real story was Erling Haaland, the Norwegian forward who yet again showcased his remarkable talent with not one, but two goals in the match.
The 20th-minute opener was a stunner, with Haaland apparently defying the laws of physics to acrobatically flick Savinho’s right-wing cross into the near post. The goal was a carbon copy of his previous aerial masterpiece against Borussia Dortmund, and it’s a testament to his freakish abilities.
For his teammate Phil Foden, it was a given that Haaland’s goal was a thing of beauty. “He’s a freak, isn’t he?” Foden said, still trying to wrap his head around Haaland’s incredible athleticism. “If I tried to do that, I’d pull my groin. I just think it’s just his long legs.”
Pep Guardiola, the City manager, was equally impressed, drawing comparisons to his former player, Gerard Piqué, in terms of Haaland’s aerial presence. “He’s so tall and so flexible,” Guardiola said. “It’s very similar to the Dortmund one a few years ago. Unbelievable. I don’t know which was more difficult, both very difficult.”
Haaland’s impressive stats in the Champions League – 20 goals in 23 appearances – also caught attention, with OptaJoe, a statistics company, pointing out that only Ruud van Nistelrooy had reached 20 goals in fewer games for a club.
Manchester City’s unbeaten run in the Champions League, which now stands at 26 matches, is a testament to Haaland’s exceptional form. On the other hand, it’s also a reflection of the team’s depth and consistency, with John Stones, who scored his seventh goal in six matches, another key component of this impressive run.
Foden, whoopened the scoring in the match, is looking to build on his own strong form, saying he’s put his slow start to the season behind him. One thing is certain: with Haaland leading the charge, Manchester City is always a force to be reckoned with in the Champions League.
