Erling Haaland was able to increase his fitness over the World Cup break, and according to Pep Guardiola, this would only help him grow better.
Rodri’s first goal in stoppage time of the first half and Erling Haaland brace gave the defending champions three vital points.
Haaland scored his 19th and 20th goals of the season to help the team defeat Leeds 3-1 in only his 14th Premier League game for the team.
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The Norwegian player moved here in the summer from Borussia Dortmund, where he was injured for a significant amount of the previous campaign. Haaland was spared the emotional and physical strain of playing in a competition because Norway was not participating in Qatar 2022.
“I think he is still not at his best because of the injury, to move his huge body is not easy for him but as much as he can play, minutes will be better,” Guardiola said.
“I had the feeling he is not at his best. It is a matter of time. [He is] always an incredible threat for the opponent.” “The numbers are unbelievable but I have the feeling he is not just coming here for the numbers, he wants to win it. Still there are 70 points to play for.”
“He missed chances, hopefully he can do better, but the numbers are exceptional, an incredible threat for us and always in the right position at the right time,” Guardiola said.
The victory at Elland Road puts City five points behind league leaders Arsenal, and Haaland played the full 90 minutes as he strives to become more adept at scoring goals.
Last week, he scored against Liverpool in the Carabao Cup, the first game following his recovery period.
“When we started to train in Abu Dhabi he could not train one single day, maybe the last one.” The rest has done him good.
Haaland told Amazon Prime: “Being home, being a bit mad that I don’t play at the World Cup.”
“I was kind of a commentator for the World Cup in my own home where no one listens to me.”
“I kind of recharged my batteries and to watch other people score and win games in the World Cup kind of triggers me and motivates me and also irritates me.”
“I’m more hungry and more ready than ever.”
He added: “We win, that’s the most important thing.”
“You see Arsenal at the top, now we have to hunt them, so that we win, I’m really happy.”
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Haaland’s goals Leeds defeated Jesse Marsch, the coach of his previous team, RB Salzburg, with whom he remains friendly.
“I am just really happy for him,” Marsch said.
“In some ways watching him score is painful, I want him in a different kit.”
“But when you know some of these young men, and you see their qualities as people, you want them to do their best, just not against your team.”
“But my gosh, I am happy for him, he is such a great person.”
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