Pep Guardiola claimed there is no pressure on Erling Haaland to score more goals after the Norwegian’s double sank Young Boys on Wednesday.
Haaland struck twice in the second half as the holders claimed a hard-fought 3-1 win over the Swiss side in their Champions League Group G encounter on the artificial surface at Bern’s Wankdorf Stadium.
The game had been in the balance after Meschack Elia had cancelled out Switzerland international Manuel Akanji’s opener with a superb strike.
Haaland’s goals were his first in six Champions League games while his effort against Brighton on Saturday ended a three-game scoreless run – relative barren spells for a player who plundered 52 in total last season.
Guardiola said: “There is the impression after last season that he has to score seven goals every single game. That is impossible.
“But he is scoring a lot of goals and if people want him to fail because he doesn’t score 50 goals it doesn’t matter. He is always there.
“The second goal was really good and he had other chances. The important thing is to create them.
“Maybe in the right moment of the season he will be there, better than now, but he has already scored a lot of goals and we are really pleased.
“I’ve told him many times I don’t judge him for scoring goals, although I know he wants to score goals. He has the desire to improve and I don’t have doubts about that.”
City’s victory, sealed with a Haaland penalty and a clever late finish, was their third in succession and took them a step closer to the knockout stages.
They could reach the last-16 for an 11th consecutive season with a follow-up win over the same opposition at the Etihad Stadium in a fortnight.
“The result was good and in general it was a really good performance,” said Guardiola, whose side had 26 attempts on goal. “We could have scored more goals but is the important thing is to create the chances.”
Guardiola added that Phil Foden did not play because of a “small problem” while Julian Alvarez, who had a goal disallowed after coming off the bench, was not able to play the full game.
Young Boys coach Raphael Wicky felt his side gave a good account of themselves.
He said: “That courage and passion, we can be proud of what the team delivered, but you need a perfect game against a team like this. We couldn’t do it.
“Perfect means taking your chances and not conceding from set-pieces. We’re disappointed with the result, but we can be proud of the team’s performance.”
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. Thank you Chiesa What a game !! 🔥Liverpool 4-2 Bournemouth Liverpool, Isak & Newcastle Damn, look who’s second already Only the real ones will remember.. Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr have been drawn in the SAME group as Virat Kohli’s FC Goa in the AFC Champions League 2! What was your reaction when you watched that match? Please stay tuned o...
Barcelona eye late move for VlahovicBarcelona could emerge as a surprise destination for Juventus forward Dusan Vlahovic before the transfer window shuts, according to Gazzetta Dello Sport. The Serie A giants are eager to part ways with the Serbian international, who has just one year left on his deal at the Allianz Stadium. Offloading the 25-year-old now would prevent Juve from losing him on a fr...
AFC Bournemouth v West Ham United FC: Premier League Summer SeriesAccording to Fabrizio Romano, several clubs are showing interest in the Mexico captain.FBL-CONCACAF-GOLDCUP-MEX-USAWHAT HAPPENED?Mexico national team captain Edson Álvarez is reportedly expected to depart West Ham before the current transfer window shuts, according to Fabrizio Romano. El Machín joined the Hammers from Ajax...
Chelsea FC v Nottingham Forest FC - Premier LeagueChelsea boss Enzo Maresca has reiterated his desire to sign a new defender to cover for the injured Levi Colwill.WHAT HAPPENED?After Colwill suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury that will rule him out for much of the season, head coach Maresca urged Chelsea to sign a new centre-back. Those "priority" calls may have fallen on deaf ears as t...
Sesko vs GyokeresThe strikers will be the headline acts in Sunday's blockbuster match at Old Trafford but they could easily have ended up at opposite destinationsCesc Fabregas throwing pizza at Sir Alex Ferguson. Gary Neville scissor-tackling Jose Antonio Reyes. Roy Keane telling Patrick Vieira "I'll see you out there". Peter Schmeichel taking on Ian Wright after having his leg stamped on. It was ...
FBL-ENG-PR-LIVERPOOL-BOURNEMOUTHArne Slot says he "would have loved" to have brought on Diogo Jota in a heartbreaking admission following Liverpool's dramatic 4-2 win over Bournemouth on Friday.WHAT HAPPENED?The Reds found themselves in search of a late winner after their two-goal lead was wiped out by a second-half double from Bournemouth forward Antoine Semenyo on the opening night of the 2025-2...
Arsenal v Newcastle: Pre-Season FriendlyJamie Carragher has made a surprising claim against Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta, insisting the Spaniard "definitely stole" Martin Zubimendi away from Liverpool. The ex-Real Sociedad midfielder, who had been on the Reds’ radar for over a year, shocked many by snubbing Merseyside in favour of a blockbuster £51 million ($69m) switch to the Emirates thi...
Liverpool signing Leoni: I want to learn from Van DijkLiverpool signing Giovanni Leoni is eager to learn from captain Virgil van Dijk.The former Parma defender joined the Reds on Friday morning ahead of their opening Premier League win against Bournemouth that evening.On the prospect of working with Van Dijk, Leoni said: "For me, he is the best defender in the world and I want to meet him as soon ...
Chelsea tell Borussia Dortmund to get serious about ChukwuemekaBorussia Dortmund have failed with a new offer for Chelsea midfielder Carney Chukwuemeka.After a successful loan over the second-half of last season in Dortmund, Chukwuemeka has attracted a new proposal from the Germans.BBC Sport says BVB have made a loan-to-buy offer for the England U21 international this week.However Chelsea have rej...
Fans at Anfield lifted cards to create mosaics in tribute to Diogo Jota and Andre Silva. Michael Steele/Getty ImagesLiverpool launched the defense of their Premier League title with a dramatic 4-2 win against Bournemouth on a night when Anfield paid an emotional tribute to Diogo Jota. Goals from Federico Chiesa (88th minute) and Mohamed Salah (94th) sealed victory after Bournemouth's Antoine Semen...
- 1 TIPS - Botafogo de Futebol e Regatas VS Liga Deportiva Universitaria
- 2 Hummels snubs son for match with new model girlfriend
- 3 Brentford Agree Deal to Sign Dango Ouattara From Bournemouth
- 4 Agent of Real Madrid defender David Alaba responds to Saudi Pro League transfer speculation as Spanish giants ponder selling 33-year-old after injury woes
- 5 TIPS - Juventude VS Corinthians
- 6 TIPS - Club Necaxa VS Club Leon
- 7 TIPS - Atletico San Luis VS Cruz Azul
- 8 TIPS - Cambuur Leeuwarden VS FC Oss
- 9 Alexander Isak goes on STRIKE! Forward Refuses to Play Newcastle Opener as Liverpool Linger
- 10 TIPS - Kashima Antlers VS Avispa Fukuoka