The great Haaland poker before Bayern hit

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It was a show, as Manchester City showed against Liverpool in the second half of the weekend – a class difference. Clearly the sky blues were in a mood to play. Ilkay Gündogan, Kevin de Bruyne, Jack Grealish and world champion Julian Alvarez, who played for the injured Erling Haaland. All four scored and together they showed inspiring magic football, eventually it was 4-1 for Manchester City. Liverpool were completely overwhelmed, literally knocked out.

After Alvarez equalized 1-1, coach Pep Guardiola showed his enthusiasm for this brilliant performance. The Spaniard cheered so effusively that he even wanted to cuddle and cuddle the Liverpool substitutes as they warmed up on the touchline. But they were simply not receptive to such caresses.

“Best performance” in Guardiola’s tenure

Erling Haaland danced with joy in the stands. He apparently forgot about his hip injury, for which he was rested. City has already scored 113 goals in 44 league games this season, 42 of which by Haaland. An insane figure, but nevertheless experts disagree on whether Pep’s team is more dangerous and unpredictable with or without the Norwegian.

It is striking that the team harmonized much better without their goal machine. Guardiola hailed the performance against Liverpool as “the best in his tenure at Manchester City”. Liberated, his players looked as if they could finally think of their own powers again and not have to frantically and quickly step up Haaland, who then set it up at the front on his own. The city game seemed well thought out, varied, unpredictable, dominant, fluid.

Big hit against Bayern Munich

Next Tuesday, Guardiola’s star ensemble will welcome Bayern Munich in the quarterfinals of the first leg of the Champions League. And while Bayern’s Thomas Müller is already warning against Haaland, coach Fox Guardiola may have his thoughts. Statistically, Manchester City is probably the hardest lot, Müller writes in his newsletter, warning: “With Haaland, the English have an absolute weapon, he is an excellent striker.”

But will the Norwegian ever get fit in time? And if so, will Guardiola allow him or will he rely on his recent grandiose impression? Power striker Haaland or the fine, lively Alvarez? Both are something special, Guardiola says diplomatically. And of Haaland’s fitness level, he says: “Erling is recovering. We’ll see how he feels.”

Of course, the Spaniard does not reveal what he is up to. Playing poker before such an important match watched by the entire football world is already part of the game. For ex-Bayern coach Guardiola, the importance of this game is immeasurable. No less for the new Bayern coach Thomas Tuchel.

Source : Blick