Never underestimate: Pep Guardiola backs Erling Haaland amid scoring slump
(Courtesy : Getty Images)
The forward last scored from open play on 20th December 2025.
Manchester City defeated Wolves 2-0 on Saturday, leaving Erling Haaland out of the starting lineup for the first time in a Premier League match this season. This was in an attempt to keep the Norwegian sharp for the final UEFA Champions League league phase match. Pep Guardiola’s team is now outside of the top eight in UCL.
To automatically advance to the knockout round and avoid having to play a play-off tie, they must defeat the Turkish powerhouses, Galatasaray, and hope other outcomes go their way.
Guardiola stated on Tuesday that Haaland, who has notched 26 goals this season, was not liable for his most recent drop in form. Two weeks prior, Guardiola had claimed that Haaland was “exhausted” as a result of the intense fixture schedule.
Guardiola comments on Erling Haaland’s poor goalscoring form
Erling Haaland last scored in open play against West Ham on December 20; his most recent goal came from a penalty against Brighton on January 7. When asked why Haaland has recently had trouble scoring, the coach responded as follows:
“It’s the team. We have to play better. Create more chances and he will score.
“Never underestimate the goalscorers because they will always make you silent. I’m an overthinking manager, I’m not a man manager. The new generation of managers are just videos.
“I don’t talk with the players for the last three years. Less problems.”
For a player like Erling Haaland, scoring goals in every game has become the norm. If he goes a game without scoring a goal, he appears frustrated, as he is one of the best strikers in Europe.
Hence, him going many games without scoring a goal is certainly going to raise eyebrows. But a striker like Haaland is quick to find his form. Hopefully, in his next game, he will find the back of the net to end his goalscoring drought.
How many goals has Erling Haaland scored this season?
He has 20 league goals in the Premier League.
When was the last time he scored from open play?
Last time he scored from open play was on 20th December.
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After earning a bachelor's degree in mass media, Rajarshi began his career as a sports writer in 2019, driven by his passion for sports journalism. He has been working in the field for over six years. A devoted fan of Lionel Messi and Barcelona, Rajarshi has been involved in sports since childhood. Before turning his focus to journalism, he even represented his college at the state level. Along with covering football, he enjoys playing the game, watching movies, and experimenting with new recipes in his spare time, as cooking is one of his favorite hobbies.