During the first leg of the Champions League semi-final between Real Madrid and Manchester City, Erling Haaland struggled to make an impact on the game.
Despite testing Thibaut Courtois early on, Haaland was tightly marked by Antonio Rudiger and only managed 21 touches on the ball throughout the match.
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola explained that the attacking midfielders of Real Madrid, including Luka Modric and Toni Kroos, occupied the pockets and distances between the central defenders and full-backs, making it difficult for Haaland to find space.
Despite the tight game, Guardiola was relieved that the second leg would be held at the Etihad Stadium in front of their own fans, which he considers a “play-off” given the circumstances.
Manchester City will face Everton in the Premier League before hosting Real Madrid in the second leg of their Champions League semi-final on May 17.
