Two games, two wins, two hat tricks by Erling Haland. The last two Premier League games have brought two very positive results for Manchester City, against Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest, and above all they have meant winning an idea. Contrary to expectations, Haaland fit into Guardiola’s philosophy and even fit in very well. — to the point of scoring six goals in two games.
This Saturday, City entered the pitch after Tottenham defeated Fulham and Liverpool drew with Everton and even before Arsenal had that complex trip to Old Trafford to face Manchester United. I mean, necessary to keep winning so as not to lose ground to the spursso as not to risk losing even more ground to Arsenal and take advantage of Liverpool’s blunder.
Going out to get ready! ????#man of the city pic.twitter.com/ZlSuwrQlG9
— Manchester City (@ManCity) September 3, 2022
The obstacle, far from the Etihad, was Aston Villa. An Aston Villa that came from three consecutive defeats but that, on the last market day, managed to hold off the reference Douglas Luiz, who was very close to reinforcing Arsenal. “That is even more dangerous, I prefer that they were better in qualifying. It is always difficult, tomorrow it will be even more difficult. The quality is there, the coach has quality and they put Dendoncker and Bednarek on the market… I can imagine how difficult it will be”, Guardiola said in the match preview.
Thus, the Spanish coach launched Gündoğan, De Bruyne and Rodri in midfield, with Bernardo and Foden appearing to support Haaland in attack and Mahrez, Grealish and Álvarez starting on the bench. On the other hand, Steven Gerrard put Ollie Watkins in the most advanced sector to the detriment of the experienced Danny Ings. The first half ended goalless, with Manchester City having a hard time unlocking Aston Villa’s defensive strategy, and at half-time it became clear that Guardiola’s team would have to show more foresight in the last third to be able to defeat the villains
Almost ready to go, only 15 minutes to go! ????#man of the city pic.twitter.com/XASaEmTbbz
— Manchester City (@ManCity) September 3, 2022
In the second part, after five minutes, the logic changed. Bernardo combined with De Bruyne on the right, the Belgian crossed to the far post and Haaland, with an extraordinary jump that left him completely in the air, braked to open the scoring and become the fastest player in Manchester City history to reach 10 goals for the club (50′). With about 15 minutes to go, at a time when Guardiola even abdicated Bernardo to put Mahrez and the the citizens Managing the advantage without much opposition, Aston Villa surprised and equalized with a great shot by Leon Bailey (74′).
HALAND ???? could only be the one to break through the village defense????
???????????????????????????????????? @premierleague | @AVFCOfficial 0x1 @town man#PremierELEVEN #NowSSeriously pic.twitter.com/giRLFgSYR3
– ONCE Portugal (@ElevenSports_PT) September 3, 2022
Until the end, nothing has changed. Aston Villa was moved, Manchester City felt the goal conceded and could not react, conceding another draw and being able to be four points behind Arsenal if the gunners beat Manchester United this Sunday. Guardiola’s team can count on Haaland for goals — but he needs to correct defensive weaknesses so those same goals aren’t wasted.
Source: Observadora
