Haaland: “Asencio wanted to tackle me from the first minute!

Erling Haaland once again demonstrated why he is regarded as one of the most formidable strikers on the planet. In a fierce encounter against Real Madrid, the Manchester City forward found himself in a relentless battle with defenders Antonio Rüdiger and Raúl Asencio, who were tasked with containing the Norwegian sensation. The duel ultimately favored Haaland, who earned a penalty after being fouled by Rüdiger, leading to City’s crucial second goal in a 2-1 victory.

In an engaging interview with TNT Sports, where he was joined by football legends Steven Gerrard, Joleon Lescott, and Steve McManaman, Haaland spoke candidly about his physical tussles during the match. “Asencio pushed me right from the first minute; he wanted to fight. I love that. It doesn’t bother me at all,” he said with a laugh, indicating his preference for matches where physicality reigns supreme. His assessment of Rüdiger was equally revealing: “With him, it was war in every duel. He pushed me too much. For me, it was a clear penalty.”

This straightforward analysis reflects Haaland’s character—he does not shy away from confrontation; rather, he seeks it out. The intensity of the match was palpable, and Haaland’s performance exemplified his relentless pursuit of excellence.

A Missed Opportunity Against Mbappé

During his conversation with TNT Sports, Haaland expressed a notable regret: not having faced Kylian Mbappé on the pitch. “When you play against the best, it gives you a mental boost. We all thought we would be playing against him,” he confessed. The anticipated clash between these two footballing titans was overshadowed by Mbappé’s absence, leaving Haaland with a sense of unfinished business.

Despite this disappointment, Haaland took a moment to praise Real Madrid and their iconic stadium. “Playing at the Bernabéu is special. You look around, and it’s incredible. It’s exactly the kind of match you want to experience,” he remarked, showcasing his genuine respect for the club’s rich history—even as he frequently finds himself on the scoring end against them.

Embracing the New Format

While many have criticized the new competition format, Haaland embraces it wholeheartedly. “More matches? That’s fantastic. I love it,” he exclaimed. Given his remarkable statistics—55 goals in just 54 European appearances—it’s hard to argue against him when he refers to the continental stage as his natural habitat.

Beyond his personal achievements, Haaland acknowledged that Manchester City did not deliver their most polished performance against Real Madrid. “It was a crazy match filled with transitions. We could have scored another one; Jeremy had chances too. But it’s always tough here,” he noted. This victory was crucial for City following their recent defeat to Bayer Leverkusen. “If we hadn’t won today, things would have been complicated for us,” he added.

As always focused on what lies ahead, Haaland concluded with his usual philosophy: “We enjoy this for a few hours and then get back to work. Our schedule is crazy; we need to stay fit. It’s match after match.” With such determination and talent, it’s clear that Erling Haaland is poised to continue making headlines in world football.