Haaland’s Acrobatic Goal Against Prague Unbelievable – Guardiola

Manchester City coach, Pep Guardiola has hailed Erling Haaland’s stunning acrobatic backheel strike against Sparta Prague in the Champions League.

The Norwegian forward was the star of the show as Manchester City emerged 5-0 winners at the Etihad Stadium to move up to third on the Champions League table.

He has now scored 44 goals in 42 Champions League matches.

Phil Foden opened the scoring in the third minute before Haaland scored with a quick fire brace in the second half. John Stones, and Matheus Nunes added the other two goals to seal victory for Pep Guardiola’s men.

Haaland’s first goal has drawn praises from the football world with many describing it as a contender for goal of the year.

He cleverly turned in Savinho’s cross with an acrobatic backheel strike that left everybody in the stadium stunned. Pep Guardiola was astonished and has described the goal as ‘not normal for a human being.’

He said,
“It’s unbelievable the talent this guy has. When Erling gets behind, he is unstoppable. I didn’t know how he scored. For a human being, I would say no [it’s not normal]. He made a fantastic goal.

“He can touch 15 or 20 balls but have seven or eight chances. It’s unbelievable.

“He made an incredible goal, similar to [Borussia] Dortmund a few years ago. I don’t know which one is more difficult, but I would say both.”

He also expressed excitement at the way the team is playing after extending their unbeaten start to the season.

Guardiola said, “I am enjoying it a lot the way we are playing lately. Not the second half against Fulham but in general I’m so pleased.

“We are working to attack better and better and better, it’s a question of being patient. We scored four goals in Bratislava [and] five goals here was unexpected for me.

“We are third [in the table]. We are there with five games left.

“We need to finish in the first eight because it’s a good advantage to not play one knockout stage and focus on the Premier League.

“We have problems with injuries like many other teams but I rely a lot on all the players and they prove to me I am right.”

Manchester City also set a new record in the Champions League by going 26 games without defeat excluding shootouts to break the record set by Manchester United between 2007 and 2009.