Guardiola: 'The goal will come naturally to Haaland'
Haaland received criticism when he was almost 'missing' in the English Super Cup match against Arsenal at Wembley last weekend. The Norwegian striker started, but only touched the ball 13 times, accurately passed six of the nine passes, lost the ball five times and failed to make a successful dribble or finish.
Before the opening match of the Premier League against Burnley, Guardiola advised his students not to put too much pressure on scoring. According to the Spanish coach, the goals will come naturally if Haaland continues to improve the quality of team and individual competitions.
"I'd say Haaland doesn't need a second season, maybe it only takes an English Super Cup to realize that," said Guardiola. "I told Haaland to come back to the best form, try to be in the best shape both physically and mentally. If Haaland scores, that's fine. If he doesn't score, that's okay too. Try to improve the details, qualities and skills in the gaps to be more complete."
In his first season with Man City, Haaland scored 52 goals in 53 matches in all competitions, helping the club win a historic treble. Three of these goals were the Norwegian striker's hat-trick against Burnley in the 6-0 win at Man City in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup. With another 36 goals, he broke the record for most goals in a single season in the Premier League. In the Champions League, the Norwegian striker won the top scorer with 12 goals.
Guardiola said he does not want Haaland to score 50 or 60 goals, but wants his students to try to have fun, relax, gradually regain their top form after the summer break and pre-season. The 52-year-old coach emphasized that scoring goals does not depend on Haaland alone, but needs the efforts of the whole team. "Haaland and his teammates had to do something to create a chance," he explained. "Defend well, don't concede, save, set-pieces, get on the ball and create chances. Let's train better. Every game requires Haaland to work hard and the goal will come naturally. Don't force it."
Man City played the earliest match in the Premier League to have more time to prepare for the European Super Cup match with Europa League champion Sevilla at Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium, Greece at 2am on August 17, Hanoi time. Man City competed for this title for the first time, while Sevilla won the European Super Cup in 2006 and lost five times after: 2007, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2020.
It's been a busy start to the 2023-2024 season, but Guardiola sees it as an opportunity for City to add new trophies to the collection. "I would love to be in the European Super Cup and also the English Super Cup," he said. "First of all, Man City has never won the European Super Cup. And of course, to be in this match, you have to win the Champions League."
