Erling Haaland on pre-match routine: “I play on my PlayStation”

Manchester City forward Erling Haaland is about to return to action after spending almost two months on the sidelines.

The reigning Premier League champions take on Burnley at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday and the Norwegian could feature against Vincent Kompany’s side.

Haaland, 23, has admitted that he enjoys playing his PlayStation ahead of matches, with FIFA helping to ease any pre-match nerves.

“I don’t have any special routines,” said Haaland when asked about his pre-match routines. “I try not to think too much before a game.”

FIFA - now rebranded as EAFC - gives him the chance to score with himself, before attempting to do so in real life with City.

“Normally the night before a game, I play on my PlayStation and try and relax as much as I can,” he said.

“I don’t do anything special. I like to score with myself on EAFC24, that’s about it. I don’t do anything special, I just try and relax and look forward to the game.”

Haaland’s ambitions

When questioned about his ambitions, Haaland added: “I want to keep doing the same as I did last season, to score more goals and win more trophies. Now I know how it is to win the Champions League and the Premier League. I would love to do it again. I will try to do my best and I want to help the team to make it happen.”

Haaland’s last game for City came in the 1-0 defeat against Aston Villa on December 6. The Norwegian scored 19 goals in all competitions before suffering from a foot injury that ruled him out for a large part of the busy winter period. After returning to training earlier this month, he is now likely to be included in the matchday squad for City’s upcoming match with Burnley.