ERLING HAALAND apologised for Manchester City’s “embarrassing” Champions League loss to minnows Bodo/Glimt.

The Norway star, 25, had a night to forget as his return to his homeland turned sour and left City’s hopes of automatic qualification on a knife-edge.

Erling Haaland apologised for Manchester City’s performanceCredit: X formerly Twitter / @footballontnt
The striker hit out after his return to NorwayCredit: Shutterstock Editorial

Haaland, who branded the performance “not good enough”, extended his barren streak to one goal – a penalty against Brighton – in his last eight games.

Sorry Haaland said: “I take full responsibility for not being able to score. I apologise to everyone – every single City supporter that travelled.

“In the end it’s embarrassing, I don’t know what else to say because I don’t have the answers – and what I can say is sorry.

“It was a fully deserved win for them and it’s not good enough from us. They play incredible at home.

GOODISON GREAT

Former England star and Everton legend dies as tributes pour in

Welcome offer

Get a £50 welcome bonus when you join Sun Vegas and spend £10

“We played well until they scored their first goal, but then they scored again. Then Jens (Petter Hauge) scores the goal of the year.

“We did our best but something is missing. The senior players take responsibility.

“I don’t want to speak about how I feel or whatever. I do my best whenever I’m on the pitch.

“I’m on the pitch quite often because of the ridiculous amount of games. I try to do my best.

Most read in Champions League

“And I try to get ready for the next game – which is in four days. So we have to try to recover again.”

The shock defeat in the Arctic Circle capped a horror week for City following the Manchester derby defeat to United.

Pep Guardiola’s City now need to beat Galatasaray next Wednesday to have any chance of finishing in the top eight.

But Bodo coach Kjetil Knutsen saluted Hauge, saying: “He’s a fantastic player. He likes to play in top matches against the best teams and best opponents.

“He was really good. But as always, this is football and you need to be good together, and he is part of a good team.”

Describing the most famous victory in the club’s history, he said: “I feel amazing.

“I think we played a really good game because we know we’re playing a world-class team.

Bodo/Glimt chief Kjetil Knutsen praised his sideCredit: Reuters
Jens Petter Hauge scored what Haaland described as the “goal of the year”Credit: Reuters

“First of all, we needed to defend well, we couldn’t give them much central space and we needed to work with all 11 players together.”

The Norwegian minnows could sneak into the play-offs with a win at Atletico Madrid in their final game.

Knutsen said: “We need to take the confidence from this game and how we stuck together.

“There are always opportunities in football, even if you come from a small town like Bodo.

“So, we’re just looking forward to it and I think we have everything we need to win.”

Read the full article here

Share.
Exit mobile version