Erling Haaland of Manchester City put on another outstanding display, scoring twice in the team's 3-0 Champions League victory over Young Boys on Tuesday, just three days after it appeared doubtful that he would even play due to an ankle injury. He is now one step closer to breaking yet another record.
With 34 Champions League games played, Haaland currently has 39 goals. He is on track to surpass Ruud van Nistelrooy's record of the fewest games played to reach 40 goals, which stands at 45 games.
Even though Haaland led Europe in scoring the previous season, Lionel Messi just defeated him for the Ballon D'Or trophy. When asked whether his striker is having the kind of season that could win the coveted trophy the following year, City manager Pep Guardiola responded in the affirmative.
"If he with his mates can win trophies, will be a chance to win it," Guardiola said. "If we don't, he won't win it."
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With two group matches left, holders City secured a spot in the round of sixteen by securing a top-two finish.
Haaland's first goal came from a penalty kick, and Guardiola called his second goal, a 20-meter left-footed rocket, "amazing."
"Normally Erling scores goals, six-yard box, 18-yard box he has this talent, not the first time he has done it," the Spanish manager said. "Yeah, that was a fantastic goal."
Guardiola said Haaland was given the green light to play after a training session.
"I didn't speak with him, we saw in the training session how he moved and how happy he was," Guardiola said. "He feels good, okay. So he plays, the job was almost done, take a rest for next Sunday."
Guardiola acknowledged a sense of satisfaction in securing a knockout spot with two games left, but the goal is to win the group to guarantee that the second leg of the last-16 will take place at home.
Guardiola remarked, "We have to finish first; the job isn't done." "We have work to do; the prerequisite has been satisfied. Very impressive, two outstanding goals."
The manager expressed regret over what might be an extended absence due to injury for John Stones, who was substituted on Tuesday after the half due to a hip injury that he had just recovered from.
Guardiola remarked, "It's muscular, will be awhile out." "I feel bad for him; he's a true professional. Regretfully, we have bad news."
