Erling Haaland and Pep Guardiola engaged in a sombre “argument” following his removal from the lineup during their decisive victory over RB Leipzig on March 14.
Haaland scored five of the seven goals Manchester City scored against their German opponents to advance to the Champions League quarterfinals.
After an hour had passed, Haaland was taken off the field to a standing ovation from the fans at Etihad Stadium and his manager, who congratulated him. He joined Lionel Messi and Luiz Adriano as the only players in Champions League history to score five goals in a single match.
But as the Norwegian later revealed, he questioned Guardiola as to why he had denied him the opportunity to complete a double hat-trick. Haaland was of the idea that had he been accorded a few
However, Guardiola downplayed the incident, revealing his satisfaction with his striker who has now broken the record for most goals for Man City in a single season. “If he achieved this milestone at 22, 23 years old, it will be boring, his life. Now he has a target.
That’s why I make the substitution,” Guardiola said as quoted by the Independent. The Spanish manager also admitted he had no idea about Messi’s record when he took the Norwegian off.
Sports Brief also reported on football fans on social media being unable to understand Guardiola’s decision to sub Haaland in Man City’s 7-0 thrashing of Leipzig on Tuesday.
The Norwegian scored five goals with only 30 touches with his hat-trick being completed before half-time, but the 22-year-old was keen on more goals when he was hooked off.
Haaland missed out on the chance to achieve another special milestone after his manager, Guardiola substituted him in the 64th minute in an act of mercy towards the Germans.