After Erling Haaland’s spectacular long-range goal against Young Boys, Pep Guardiola says the Manchester City striker still surprises him.
Having scored a penalty from 12-yards in the opening half, Haaland’s second was a thing of beauty as he collected the ball from outside the box to ferociously fire in a beauty.
The two goals added to the Norwegian’s tally who has now scored 67 in 70 appearances for the Citizens in all competitions, and Guardiola says he is still amazed by the talent Haaland possesses.
“Yes, he still surprises me, because normally he scores goals in the six-yard, eight-yard, and penalty spots,” Pep said. “But he has this talent; it’s not the first time he has done it.
“I think the assist by Rico [Lewis] was amazing. I love when he attacks in the final third. The movement from the opponent is under control, and he has the goal here.
“He has the goal there in that position when he doesn’t think much and his shooting is clinical. Yeah, it was a fantastic goal.
“The second one for Phil was amazing, too.”
That victory ensured City advanced to the knockout stages with two games to spare, but Guardiola insists it wasn’t as easy as it looks.
“Yeah, sometimes you have to fight against the tendency of the people and what they think about what is going to happen.
“People would say that we are going to qualify for sure, and we have already qualified.
“Still, the job is not done because we have to finish first. It’s better to have the second leg in the last 16 at home because at home we feel confident.
“It’s really, really, really impressive. We scored two fantastic goals. The second and third are amazing goals.”
With the last 16 secured, City’s next game will be against Chelsea in the Premier League on Sunday evening at the Stamford Bridge.
