Pep Guardiola directly pointed out the underperforming player at Man City

Coach Pep Guardiola recently gave candid remarks about the form of one of Man City's key stars who is currently “undergoing” significant pressure due to a goal drought.

Although still leading the Premier League top scorer chart, the Norwegian striker has not scored from open play in the last 8 matches, a statistic that has raised questions among fans.

Speaking after the thrilling victory over Liverpool at Anfield, Guardiola said Haaland is the type of player who always puts pressure on himself. “He stays calm but puts a lot of pressure on himself. Haaland knows how much the team relies on him and doesn’t want to let anyone down,” the Spanish manager shared.

In the crucial match against Liverpool, Haaland successfully converted a penalty in the 90+ minute to secure a 2-1 win for Man City, reigniting their hopes in the Premier League title race. Guardiola was particularly impressed by his player’s composure under intense pressure. He emphasized that Haaland’s gaze and body language revealed a fierce determination, which defines the quality of a top striker.

However, it is undeniable that there has been a noticeable dip in form recently. After scoring 19 goals in the first 17 games of the season, Haaland has only added 2 more goals in the following 8 matches. According to Guardiola, the main reason is the congested fixture schedule, which has left the 23-year-old striker physically and mentally fatigued.

“Don’t forget Erling is still very young. This is part of his development process. Each season will help him improve, understand his body better, and adapt to the demanding match schedule,” the Man City coach added.

In reality, Haaland’s contribution to Man City this season remains hugely significant. Guardiola admitted that for most of the season, if Haaland didn’t score, he wasn’t sure who else could fill that role. Man City’s current standing in both the Premier League and Champions League carries the strong imprint of the Norwegian striker.

The biggest issue, according to Guardiola, lies in the high standards Haaland sets for himself. “Erling’s challenge is to face his own numbers and expectations. Maintaining that over many years is not easy. That’s the test he has to overcome.”- Pep shared.

With Man City still competing on multiple fronts, Haaland’s early return to explosive form will be crucial. Guardiola sent a message to his player: trust your instincts, trust your movement, and your natural goal-scoring ability.