AFCON 2025
Pep Guardiola has come to the defense of Erling Haaland, disagreeing with the striker’s comments after Manchester City’s 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa.
Haaland, who has scored just one goal in his last six Premier League games, took responsibility for his struggles, saying:
“First I’m looking at myself, I haven’t been doing things good enough, I haven’t been scoring my chances. I have to do better, I haven’t been good enough.”
Guardiola, however, refused to blame Haaland, instead praising his striker’s willingness to take responsibility for his performances.
“I don’t agree with him,” Guardiola said.
“Without him, we would be even worse, but I like players to be that way. It’s the only chance we have to get better.”
Guardiola emphasized the importance of players reflecting on their performances rather than blaming others.
“There are two options: I judge myself, the only other situation is to blame your side. That depends on them.
“I don’t agree with Erling because he tried, and he needs to be delivered the right balls in the right spots, but now we recover and we fight for the next one.”
