Erling Haaland's frustration was evident after Manchester City's dramatic 3-2 loss to Real Madrid, despite his two goals putting them ahead late into the match. Haaland was visibly angry following the final whistle, with his mood reflecting the collapse of what seemed like a promising victory for City. As the match concluded, the Norwegian striker was seen muttering under his breath, walking straight to the tunnel, and giving only a brief handshake to Real Madrid's manager, Carlo Ancelotti. Haaland also appeared to have an exchange with Kylian Mbappe, which seemed to further fuel his anger.
The late defeat came after City had been in control for much of the game, with Haaland’s goals giving them a 2-1 lead. However, former City player Brahim Diaz equalized for Madrid, and in stoppage time, Jude Bellingham scored a dramatic winner, leaving City stunned. Haaland’s reaction, walking off without much interaction with his teammates, highlighted his frustration with the team’s inability to hold onto the lead.
Meanwhile, the ongoing debate about Haaland’s place among Europe’s top forwards has been reignited, with Thierry Henry weighing in on the comparison between Haaland and Mbappe. Henry, when asked who he would prefer to have on his team, firmly backed Mbappe, citing his versatility. "Mbappe offers different options for a coach—he can play on the right, left, or in the center," Henry explained. He also pointed out that Haaland, while incredibly effective as a traditional number nine, lacks the flexibility that Mbappe brings to the table.
Henry elaborated that Mbappe’s evolution into a more central role at PSG and Real Madrid made him a more adaptable player. On the other hand, Haaland has always been a true center forward, and while his goal-scoring record is exceptional, there are still questions about his broader influence on the game. Henry also noted that despite their impressive statistics, both players are still subject to questions about their style of play, especially when compared to the iconic figures of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
When asked by Jamie Carragher who they would prefer to mark, both Carragher and Micah Richards admitted they would rather face Haaland, suggesting that his predictability as a pure striker makes him easier to defend against. Haaland’s mood may have been affected by the ongoing debate, especially with City now needing to secure a win at the Bernabeu to keep their Champions League hopes alive.
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