“I remember my dear friend Zlatan”

Erling Haaland decided with a super goal against Borussia Dortmund.
Then the coach Pep Guardiola lifted a certain Swede.
– I remember my dear friend Zlatan, he says afterwards.

Manchester City have had a brilliant start to the season but in the home meeting against Borussia Dortmund, in the second round of the Champions League group stage, they looked to be heading for a points drop. The guests from Germany took the lead in the match and City had difficulty creating clear scoring chances. But centre-back John Stones equalized with a long-range shot, and then Erling Haaland stepped into the proceedings.

Guardiola’s tribute

The Norwegian has had an almost exceptional start to his time in England and has averaged almost 1.5 goals per game. He scored two goals in the first CL meeting for City, but what he did against Borussia Dortmund was something really, really special. Joao Cancelo whipped in a perfect ball with the outside that looked too long and high for Haaland to reach inside the box. But he launched himself into the air, hit the ball with the outside of his foot, and City were in the lead.

The goal can be looked at any number of times, and afterwards coach Pep Guardiola could only gape. But in the interviews afterwards, the Spaniard instead chose to compare Haaland – with Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

– I remember my dear friend Zlatan Ibrahimovic, he had the ability to get his leg up like that, and Erling is quite similar to him there. It’s just his nature. He is strong, flexible and has the ability to hit such balls, says Guardiola afterwards.

Haaland’s pass

However, the comparisons did not stop there. Guardiola went so far as to compare Haaland to one of the all-time greats.

– Everyone who knows me knows how much Johan Cruyff has influenced me, and what a mentor he has been for me. Many years ago, Cruyff scored a great goal for Barcelona, ​​and when Erling scored his goal today, it was very, very similar. I immediately thought: “Ah, a Johan Cruyff!”. It was an incredible pass, and the finish was exceptional.

Even Erling Haaland had Zlatan Ibrahimovic in mind after his goal. In an interview with C More after the match, the Norwegian greeted:

– I must have learned from your dear compatriot Zlatan. I have to hope that he is proud of that goal, says Haaland to TV4’s Olof Lundh.