Featured Image Credit: HaytersTV
Topics: Pep Guardiola, Manchester City, Erling Haaland, Champions League, Football
Marcus Chan
Topics: Pep Guardiola, Manchester City, Erling Haaland, Champions League, Football
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola had no time for one particular question during his pre-Champions League final press conference.
After leading City to the Premier League and FA Cup, Guardiola is now tasked with finally bringing home the elusive Champions League trophy this weekend.
Standing in their way are Italian giants Inter Milan, who are looking to cause an almighty upset in Istanbul.
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Ahead of the match, one of the main talking points is whether Erling Haaland will perform and fire City to glory.
However, when asked about his expected goals rate, Guardiola had no interest in responding. You can watch the footage below.
The journalist asked: “Erling has had an expected goals rate of 9.6 in the last 12 games. It has not been that low since 2019, do you have an answer on why it’s that low right now?”
A bemused Guardiola responded: “I'm not here to discuss the average for Haaland scoring goals. If you have doubts about that you are a lonely person.
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“I don't have doubts, tomorrow he will be ready to help us win the Champions League.”
Since arriving in Manchester from Borussia Dortmund last summer, Haaland has managed 52 goals in 52 appearances in his first season with City.
The Norwegian also broke the Premier League record by scoring 36 goals in the 22/23 campaign.
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When asked about the secret behind his success, Guardiola said: “Have good players. Have Messi in the past, have Haaland now. This is my success. I'm not joking.
“Let them feel that alone they cannot do it, together we are a strong team. We have the same idea. The guys who follow me will be here, the guys who don't won't be here. Every manager with success has a strong institution and good players. A manager has never scored a goal.”
Who do you think will win the Champions League? Let us know in the comments.