Erling Haaland: Erling Haaland yet again scored another hattrick on Saturday against Burnley in the FA Cup tie, his sixth hattrick for the season so far, taking his tally to 42 goals in 37 appearances. The goal-scoring machine continuing his fine debut season for Manchester City, as City manager Pep Guardiola joked that he substituted Haaland in the 6-0 thrashing over Burnley as he didn’t want him to break another Messi record. Follow FA Cup LIVE Updates on Insidesport.IN
An incredible week for the Norwegian, as he scored eight goals in the last two games, having struck five goals against RB Leipzig in the midweek Champions League clash before netting thrice against Burnley in the FA Cup quarterfinals. It is just a matter of time before the Norwegian will pass Mo Salah and Ruud van Nistelrooy’s Premier League record of 44 goals in all competitions. In the manner, Haaland is scoring goals for fun, he must be eyeing Everton legend Dixie Dean’s incredible 60 goals in the 1927/28 season.
The 22-year-old’s incredible feat against Leipzig in the midweek means he joins the elite company of Lionel Messi, to score five goals in the knockout stage game of the Champions League.
However, with half an hour of the game still to play, Guardiola substituted Haaland who was in search of a double hattrick, prompting conspiracy theories on social media that this was to preserve Messi’s place in the record books. Similarly, in the FA Cup tie against Burnley, Pep again substituted Haaland exactly at a similar point. That makes us wonder what is Pep’s thinking behind Haaland’s substitutions.
Pep Guardiola: “I substituted Haaland so he doesn’t break Lionel Messi’s record in FA Cup.” 😂
— All About Argentina 🛎🇦🇷 (@AlbicelesteTalk) March 18, 2023
Pep Guardiola says, Haaland’s prolific scoring will create problems for himself in the future, as the Spaniard feels he is increasing expectations for other matches. He says, ‘This guy will have a problem in the future, every game he will be expected to score three or four goals every game and this is not going to happen.’
‘But I know him, he doesn’t care about that. He is so positive and optimistic in his life. He never complains and as long as the team plays with this intensity, he will score goals, though the exact target, I don’t know.’
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Moreover, the former Barcelona coach clarifies the talks surrounding him, Haaland, and Messi, ‘Eight goals in four days. I played 11 years in Barcelona and scored 11 goals!” Guardiola began.’
‘He did it. It’s incredible. I made a substitution to him at three goals to not break the record to Messi in the FA Cup.’ he joked
The progress to the FA Cup semi-finals means, the treble is on for Pep Guardiola’s side, however, faces the tough task to beat his former side Bayern Munich in the quarter-finals of the Champions League and eyeing snatching Arsenal’s lead of five points in the Premier League table.
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