Rose applauds Haaland’s five-goal performance
RB Leipzig head coach Marco Rose suffered a 7-0 loss to Manchester City, but he can still acknowledge greatness.
Just one day ahead of the Champions League clash between Manchester City and RB Leipzig, City coach Pep Guardiola was being criticized for Erling Haaland’s role on the team. For his part, Leipzig coach Marco Rose was baffled by the criticism, saying, “if you don’t want him, send him to me!”
After their second leg, it’s easy to understand Rose’s confidence in the Norweigan player. Though Leipzig was able to keep Haaland from scoring in the first leg, which ended 1-1, Rose knew even before the second leg that it would not last.
“I’m really surprised that he has received criticism. He’s scored 28 goals in 26 league games,” said Rose. “If you take those goals away, I don’t know where City would be in the table. I don’t know what we’re talking about. Everyone knows about Haaland’s qualities. We were able to defend well against him in the first leg, but you’ll never be able to keep him completely quiet.”
Haaland’s record-breaking Champions League performance
Rose called it. In the second leg, Haaland scored a stunning five goals and City shut out Leipzig 7-0. Haaland’s first two goals alone broke a record, bringing him to 30 goals in the Champions League in just 25 games, becoming both the youngest and fastest player to reach that number. He is also the first Premier League player to score five hat-tricks in a season since Harry Kane in the 2016-17 season.
Of course, Rose never doubted him for a second. Even after a defeat, he was able to applaud and congratulate Haaland on an incredible performance and accomplishments.
“He had a great night, he was so hungry,” said Rose. “He scored goals with his foot, he scored goals with his head, he won second balls, he made deep runs, and it looked really simple. Congratulations to Erling.”
Haaland now has 39 goals for the season, more than any other City player has scored in a single season, breaking Tommy Johnson’s previous record held since 1928-29. He was brought off the field after an hour, leaving to a standing ovation.
“I told [Guardiola] I would love to score a double hat-trick, but what can I do?” Said Haaland after he was taken off the field.
Guardiola answered that Haaland’s life “would be boring” if he broke all the records before even turning 23 years old.
