Manchester City lost 3-0 to Real Madrid at the Bernabeu in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League Round of 16 match. Few City players performed well, but Jeremy Doku on the left wing was arguably the standout. Abdukodir Khusanov also worked hard in defense, though he often seemed isolated. Many players were not at their best, and Pep Guardiola’s team selection disrupted City’s rhythm. One notable player who struggled was Erling Haaland, who needs to improve for his team.
Erling Haaland struggled against Real Madrid, similar to his performance against Nottingham Forest.
No Manchester City player excelled against Real Madrid, and Haaland was no exception. He had trouble getting involved in the game and spent too much time on the sidelines. This was partly due to the overall poor performance of the team. Playing as a striker in a struggling squad is challenging, and it was evident last night. However, not all the responsibility can be placed on his teammates.
In the first 20 minutes, Jeremy Doku delivered several good balls across the Real Madrid box, but no City player was there to score. Haaland should have been present. When he is in form, he scores those opportunities. Last night, he was not. He made runs behind the Real Madrid defense, but his teammates failed to pass the ball to him, leading to a disappointing performance.
Additionally, Haaland appeared hesitant in the physical contest against Antonio Rudiger and the Real Madrid defense. It raised concerns about his fitness. If he is not fully fit, he should not be starting. He showed similar struggles in the recent 2-2 draw against Nottingham Forest at the Etihad. Right now, Haaland is not at his best, which is a concern for the team.
Manchester City needs Erling Haaland to regain his form.
Haaland has scored only four goals in his last seventeen appearances, with two coming from penalties. He is far from his best form. Recently, he had one strong performance in a 2-1 victory over Newcastle, but overall, he has not met expectations for some time. Seventeen matches is a significant period to assess, and it’s clear that Haaland’s current level is not acceptable. As the season approaches a crucial point, City needs him to return to form.
If Haaland is fatigued or unfit, he should come off the bench. The team can’t afford to carry him during this challenging stretch. He also needs proper support to succeed, but he must be ready to compete, as he did against Newcastle. City depends on their main striker to step up; there’s no way around it. His goal-scoring has slowed, and his overall play has declined.
This weekend, Manchester City faces West Ham at the London Stadium in an important Premier League match. Historically, Haaland has performed well and found the net at this venue. Hopefully, he’ll break out of his slump and help his team.