Pep Guardiola claims that it will be boring for Erling Haaland if he achieve milestone at a young age.
Manchester City striker Erling Haaland score 5 goals against Leipzig in the Champions League before he was sub off by his manager Pep Guardiola.
The 22 year-old now has 39 goals in all competitions for City this season, surpassing the mark of 38 set by Tommy Johnson during the 1928-29 season.
The Norway international became the fastest player to reach 30 goals in the competition — he ended the night on 33 from 25 UCL goals — when putting the English champions 2-0 up in the first half.
“I’m blurry in my head. I remember shooting but not thinking,” Haaland said. “It’s a big night. Firstly, I’m proud to play in this competition, I love it. Five goals. To win 7-0 is amazing.
“My super strength is scoring goals. Should I be honest? A lot of goals today, I didn’t think. I was just trying to get it into the back of the net. A lot of it is being quick in the mind and trying to put it where the goalkeeper is not.”
Haaland, who has now scored 10 goals in six Champions League games this season, said the team dedicated time in training to work on pressing on the eve of the clash.
“Especially at home we have to run and press. We are so good at getting the ball,” he said. “I think we can use [pressing] more, there is more space for the guys in between to play. Compared to last year and now we can play with a striker in behind and that’s what I’m trying to bring.
“I told [Guardiola] I would love to score a double hat trick, but what can I do?,” he added on being substituted before he could become the first player to ever score six goals in a single Champions League game.
After the match Guardiola explained for taking Haaland out when he did, saying: “If he achieves this milestone at 22, his life would be boring. He has something to aim for.”
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