Pep Guardiola makes Haaland admission after taking his pain out on Brentford (original) (raw)

Pep Guardiola makes Erling Haaland reveal after taking personal pain out on Brentford

Erling Haaland's participation against Brentford on Saturday was in doubt after the death of a close friend, but the Norwegian hitman played and scored both goals in Manchester City's 2-1 win on Saturday

Erling Haaland of Manchester City applauds the fans after defeating Brentford

Pep Guardiola hailed Erling Haaland, after the goal machine took out his personal pain on Brentford.

Haaland had spent the latter part of the week mourning the death of his close friend Ivar Eggja. But Haaland put his troubles to one side for 90 minutes - and Brentford to the sword - with an impressive double to inspire Manchester City to a 2-1 win.

Haaland has now plundered nine goals in just four league games this season - and is just one short of a landmark 100 since joining the English champions in 2022. Guardiola praised the mental strength of Haaland, after seeing him help City maintain their perfect start to the new campaign.

Guardiola said: "He said he wanted to play. Of course it's been tough, he's a human being, but in the locker room we try to take care of each other.

"That is the best way sometimes - to go and do your job, and he's been doing it perfectly for many years. You have to be strong, of course, but maybe for 90 minutes you forget your personal life, I don’t know.

"So maybe for him playing is good. I never asked if he is ready to play, I just thought 'he’s going to play', unless he came to me and said 'Pep I am not ready.'

"The best way maybe is for 92 or 93 minutes, you forget. And I would say, this is the best he's been."

Brentford stunned the Etihad by taking the lead inside 22 seconds through Yoane Wissa. And the visitors wasted more chances to go further ahead, leaving Brentford boss Thomas Frank frustrated at the final whistle.

Frank said: "In the first 20 minutes, if City are the best team in the world, then we are world class too. We were the best team and on top. But we had to take more than one of those chances we created."

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