Guardiola raises six fingers to defend Haaland

Erling Haaland entered Manchester City’s Champions League clash against Inter Milan with the chance to solidify his already impressive record-breaking career.

After an explosive start to the Premier League season, where he netted nine goals in just four matches, Haaland was on the cusp of becoming the fastest player to score 100 goals for a single club. He needed just one more to break the record set by Cristiano Ronaldo, who achieved the milestone in 105 matches for Real Madrid. However, despite the anticipation and Haaland’s hunger for goals, the Norwegian forward was unable to find the back of the net in a frustrating evening for City.

The goalless draw with Inter meant that Haaland’s quest to surpass Ronaldo’s record would have to wait, and now, at best, he can only equal the Portuguese superstar’s mark. It was not the first time Haaland had struggled to assert his usual dominance in a high-profile Champions League match. In the post-match press conference, City manager Pep Guardiola came to his striker’s defense. Known for his protective and supportive nature toward his players, Guardiola didn’t hesitate to address why Haaland had difficulty impacting the game.

During his press conference, Guardiola raised six fingers to visually demonstrate the challenge Haaland faced on the pitch. “There were six players around him,” Guardiola explained. “Three in front of him and three behind him. That’s how they took him out of the game. Any player would struggle in that situation.” Guardiola’s comments highlighted the tactical focus Inter placed on neutralizing Haaland, using multiple players to stifle his movement and cut off his usual supply of chances. Despite Haaland’s reputation for breaking through defenses, Inter’s well-drilled defense succeeded in containing him.

But it wasn’t just Haaland who found the match difficult. The entire Manchester City team faced similar frustrations against an organized and physically imposing Inter side. Guardiola acknowledged this in his analysis, pointing out that City tried to exploit the spaces that were available. "We tried to exploit the spaces. That’s why Gündogan got a few chances, but Inter was physically stronger than us," he explained. The City manager’s tactical adjustments during halftime were aimed at finding a solution to this issue. He substituted Kevin De Bruyne and Sávio for Ilkay Gündogan and Phil Foden, hoping that fresh legs and more creativity would help break down Inter’s defense.

Guardiola knew that in order to counter Inter’s defensive strategy, City needed to surround Haaland with more support in the final third. “We needed more players close to Erling, and we did that. I knew Inter would defend this way,” he added. However, despite these adjustments, City could not find a breakthrough, and the game ended in a stalemate. The physicality and organization of Inter’s defense proved to be an obstacle City couldn’t overcome on the night, leaving Haaland and his teammates frustrated as they walked away with only a point.

Adding to the challenges of the match was the injury concern surrounding Kevin De Bruyne. Guardiola had initially planned the substitution for tactical reasons, hoping to bring on players who could operate better in tight spaces. But, as he later revealed, the medical staff informed him that De Bruyne couldn’t continue due to an injury, forcing his hand earlier than expected. De Bruyne’s fitness remains a concern, particularly with a crucial Premier League fixture against Arsenal looming. When asked about De Bruyne’s availability for that match, Guardiola responded, "I will have more information about that tomorrow." He further explained that he had already been considering a change after 35 minutes due to the way Inter were defending, which required more players adept in small spaces, but it was only when the medical team informed him of De Bruyne’s injury that the substitution became inevitable.

Guardiola’s decision to defend his star player and make tactical adjustments during the match reflects his deep understanding of the challenges City faced. The fact that Haaland was heavily marked by Inter’s defense indicates just how seriously opponents take him, and while he didn’t manage to break Ronaldo’s record that night, his consistent presence as a threat on the field remains a vital part of City’s game plan. Meanwhile, the team will be hoping that De Bruyne’s injury is not serious, as his creativity and vision are key to City’s attack, especially with a critical clash against Arsenal just around the corner.

In the broader context, City’s goalless draw with Inter also serves as a reminder that even teams as dominant as Manchester City can struggle against well-prepared opponents. Guardiola’s acknowledgment of Inter’s physical superiority and his strategic attempt to address the defensive blockade by making substitutions shows his willingness to adapt, even when the result does not go in their favor. The coming days will likely focus on De Bruyne’s recovery and City’s preparations for their next test in both domestic and European competitions. As for Haaland, the quest for more records continues, but the match against Inter showed that even the most prolific strikers can have off nights, particularly when up against determined and organized defenses.