Europe Россия Внешние малые острова США Китай Объединённые Арабские Эмираты Корея Индия

Thierry Henry reveals the one thing Erling Haaland DOESN'T do well - after Man City star failed to net again in 3-3 Champions League draw with Real Madrid

7 months ago 47

By Dominic Hogan

Published: 10:04 BST, 10 April 2024 | Updated: 13:48 BST, 10 April 2024

Thierry Henry believes there is one element of Erling Haaland's game that he needs to improve on after the Norwegian powerhouse was kept quiet against Real Madrid. 

European champions Manchester City were held to a breathtaking 3-3 draw with Los Blancos in the Spanish capital, in a feast of stunning strikes and end-to-end football in the Champions League. 

Bernardo Silva had the visitors 1-0 up after just two minutes, but a quick fire double from Real Madrid flipped the game, a Ruben Dias own goal and Rodrygo strike making it 2-1 by 14 minutes. 


The second half then turned into a distilled Puskas Award montage, with Phil Foden, Josko Gvardiol and Federico Valverde all scoring screamers with the game eventually ending 3-3. 

Haaland was however kept quiet by the diligence and determination of Antonio Rudiger, and legendary striker Henry was quick to give the Norway international some tips as to how he can improve his all-round game.  

Erling Haaland had another evening to forget as he was unable to make an impact against Real Madrid

Legendary former Arsenal striker offered the Norway international some advice on how to improve

Haaland was 'extinguished' by Antonio Rudiger, the paper said, during a quiet performance

'I always always say that I've seen strikers not scoring but playing really well for the team away from home and doing exactly what you need to for your team away from home, or even at home,' Henry told CBS Sports. 'But more often than not you judge a striker for his goals - fair enough, we already know that. 

'People can get better and I believe in that. But there is one thing that he doesn't do ever so well, and he's always shoulder to shoulder with the defender, so you can go like this, and get your foot around. 

'But if you are like this [square on, hand on defender's shoulder] there is no way you can get that ball now. I've created a distance, you can't get the ball. Even at three-quarters you can protect the ball. 

'Afterwards it's all about your quality, but you can't let the defender get their leg around you, or get an arm around you, you have to grab it first then dictate.'

There is no questioning the Norwegian star's ability to find the back of the net - especially given he's already done so 30 times this term - but there have been eyebrows raised at the rest of his game. 

For Man City, Haaland is almost the perfect striker, waiting in the box for the chance to come, and more often than not applying the devastating finishing touch. 

However, when coming deeper to impact the build-up play, he is often criticised, Roy Keane notably describing him as a 'League Two' player.  

Against Real Madrid, he was found lacking, though, and notoriously scathing French daily L'Equipe awarded him just a 3/10 for his showing. 

French newspaper L'Equipe gave Haaland and Bellingham just 3/10 for their performances, with a number of others not faring too much better

Jude Bellingham was also awarded a 3/10 alongside former Borussia Dortmund team-mate Haaland

According to L'Equipe's scathing ratings, the Norwegian 'is not progressing enough in the way he connects to City's game' as he was judged 'flop of the match'.

Fortunately for Pep Guardiola's star hitman, plenty of others underperformed at the Bernabeu as the much-anticipated quarter-final served up six goals, evenly shared. 

The French newspaper said England star Jude Bellingham put in 'his worst match since arriving at Real' as the midfielder 'never weighed in on the game'.

Meanwhile, City players Ruben Dias and Manuel Akanji were given just 4/10 by L'Equipe, while John Stones, Stefan Ortega and Mateo Kovacic got 5/10. 

Read Entire Article