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Erling Haaland goal “not normal for a human being” – Guardiola


Erling Haaland goal “not normal for a human being” – Guardiola

MANCHESTER, England (AP) — Pep Guardiola said Erling Haaland's incredible goal in Manchester City's 5-0 win over Sparta Prague was “not normal for a human being.”

Haaland acrobatically completed Savinho's second-half cross with a flying heel volley.

The Norwegian scored again before being substituted, taking him to 44 goals in 42 Champions League games and moving up to 16th on the all-time list.

“I didn’t know how he scored,” Guardiola said. “For a human, I would say no (that’s not normal). He scored a fantastic goal.”

“He can touch 15 or 20 balls but has seven or eight chances. It’s incredible.”

“He scored an incredible goal, similar to what (Borussia) Dortmund did a few years ago. I don’t know which is harder, but I would say both.”

Haaland's teammate at Man City, Matheus Nunes, was equally impressed.

“What an incredible goal. After that I was speechless,” Nunes told TNT Sports. “When he scored a similar goal against Dortmund I saw it on TV, it was incredible to see it live.”

Sparta Prague coach Lars Friis was also full of praise for Haaland, who has already scored 13 goals this season.

“What can you say, he is perhaps the best striker in the world,” said Friis.

“He is world class. We felt like we had him in good hands, but then he shows up with a goal like that.”

“They are the best team in the world with the best players in the world.”

City's win moved them into third place in the Champions League table and within sight of the knockout stages ahead of games against Sporting CP and Feyenoord.

Guardiola's side also set a new record in Europe's top club competition by going 26 games without defeat (excluding shootouts), surpassing the streak set by Manchester United between 2007 and 2009.

“We played really well again,” said Guardiola.

“I'm really enjoying the way we've been playing lately. We concede very few chances.”

“We get a lot done and had to be very patient. We still have five games left and the goal is to finish in the top eight. It’s a good advantage not to play in February.”

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