TOMAS RONCERO
Do Manchester City play better without Haaland?
City’s predictable approach during the Arsenal game with Haaland mutated into a combinative and dynamic showing against Villa without the Norwegian.
I know that this is a dangerous affirmation and this could bounce back to haunt me if Haaland catches fire and bags a hatful of goals at the Bernabéu and at the Etihad. But the situation regarding the Norwegian striker is a football debate that is currently ongoing both in Manchester and in Madrid. Having watched City’s past two games, when Haaland started against Arsenal with the striker’s activity nullified by a sturdy and well drilled Arsenal defence, the Norwegian became a peripheral player as City ran out of ideas on how to break the Gunners down which contributed to the 0-0 draw.
City then faced fourth placed side Aston Villa three days later with Haaland on the bench and Julián Álvarez the key striker. The horizontal and predictable football witnessed during the Arsenal game mutated into the combinative, dynamic and devastating approach that was reminiscent of the display against Madrid in last year’s Champions League semi-final second leg.
Foden was the star turn bagging a hat-trick but Julián Álvarez was a constant source of threat for Unai Emery’s team and, above all, I was really impressed by Rodri. The Spanish player is at the peak of his game and everything good that happens at City happens through his Madrid born player...
The way they are currently playing, Real Madrid fears no-one but there is a part of me that would prefer Haaland starting next Tuesday at the Santiago Bernabéu and recall how, last year Rüdiger was instrumental in keeping the striker away from creating too much danger. Despite the score at the Etihad in the away leg, the Norwegian failed to find the net and having Haaland in the line-up forces teams to play in a specific way to favor his indisputable qualities in front of goal.