Pep Guardiola hailed Erling Haaland’s 50th Champions League goal in a record 49 games and stated he is now in the company of the “monsters Cristiano and Messi” in the competition’s all-time greatest scorers, as Manchester City beat Napoli 2-0 in the opening group match.
Haaland’s 56th-minute opener was his 12th in seven appearances for City and Norway, Jérémy Doku’s second clinching victory for Guardiola’s side. Haaland beat Ruud van Nistelrooy’s previous 62-appearance mark for 50 goals.
His manager said: “What can I say? The numbers speak for themselves. We are lucky to have him. Just to congratulate him, because he’s alongside goalscorers like Van Nistelrooy, Lewandowski, but especially the two monsters Cristiano and Messi for 20 years: for Erling to be there is unbelievable.”
Guardiola was asked if Haaland might beat Ronaldo’s record tally of 140 Champions League goals. “In that rhythm, yeah,” the Catalan said. “He’s not injured, he could play for 10 or 12 more years, and if he maintains this progression – absolutely.”
Guardiola believes Haaland is better this season. “Yeah. It’s a question of playing a lot, experience, [be involved in] more important games and his mentality as well,” said the 54-year-old.
Phil Foden’s chip created Haaland’s strike against Napoli, the No 47 having also scored in Sunday’s 3-0 win over Manchester United. “The last two games have been the Phil that we know,” said Guardiola. “When he plays close to Erling in the year we won the fourth Premier League in a row Phil was the best player in the Premier League. We are so happy because I know he is happy and his joy and his life is fine, the rest is natural. His incredible talent comes along.”
Antonio Conte explained why he substituted Kevin De Bruyne when his captain, Giovanni Di Lorenzo, was sent off on 21 minutes. “It was the only option I could do,” said the head coach. “I was really sorry for him as it’s the game against his old team but Kevin understood very well. I had only this decision, this option.”
Conte was pleased the loss was not heavier. “They could have pulled our pants down but they did not,” he said.
