Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has opened up on his decision to deny Erling Haaland the chance of another hat-trick in the club’s emphatic 5-0 Champions League win over Sparta Prague on Wednesday night.
The Norway international scored twice at the Etihad Stadium, with Phil Foden, John Stones and Matheus Nunes also on target.
Nunes scored City’s fifth and final goal from the penalty spot, with Haaland denied the chance to take the spot-kick after being substituted by Guardiola.
The Spaniard has now revealed he took the 24-year-old off with the weekend in mind, with City due to face Southampton on Saturday.
Man City star Erling Haaland scored twice during his side’s Champions League win over Sparta Prague
PA
“We play a lot of games and I had to do this,” stated the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss.
“He understands the decisions and is so generous with the team.”
Haaland’s brilliant volley lit up the game, with the City star pulling off a remarkable piece of skill to find the net.
Discussing the forward’s moment of magic, Guardiola said: “I saw it when the ball came in. It’s unbelievable. He’s a statue.
“So tall and so flexible. I like it, he has this sense of humour.
“Very similar to the Dortmund one a few years ago. Unbelievable. I don’t know which was more difficult, both very difficult.
“He had some chances but it’s difficult. He is literally on the penalty spot with three defenders and two midfielders – he’s always surrounded by five or six players.
“He’s so fast too that’s maybe why teams defend so deep.”
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Another player who impressed for City was Stones.
Not only did the England international keep a clean sheet, he also scored for the second game in a row – having netted a late winner against Wolves on Sunday.
Guardiola praised the centre-back and also compared him to Barcelona icon Gerard Pique.
The 53-year-old added: “When Erling is not available John can play as a striker.
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Man City star Matheus Nunes celebrates after scoring a penalty in his side’s Champions League win over Sparta Prague
PA
“Gerard Pique in Barca he had an incredible sense of goal and John is the same. He’s already scored a few goals. He’s back and I’m happy for him.”
On Sparta Prague’s performance, he continued: “We were playing good. I didn’t expect them to defend so deep.
“They played offensively in their other matches but they defend so deep it’s difficult.
“The moment we broke the game for 2-0 it was fine.”
Man City boss Pep Guardiola has opened up on Erling Haaland following his side’s Champions League win over Sparta Prague
PA
It was a good night all round for British teams in the Champions League.
Liverpool beat RB Leipzig 1-0, with Darwin Nunez netting the only goal of the game.
And Celtic emerged unscathed from their tie against Atalanta, with that fixture ending goalless.