{"id":294365,"date":"2023-10-25T21:39:45","date_gmt":"2023-10-25T21:39:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportslifetale.com\/?p=294365"},"modified":"2023-10-25T21:39:45","modified_gmt":"2023-10-25T21:39:45","slug":"erling-haaland-fires-man-utd-timely-reminder-as-man-city-beat-young-boys","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportslifetale.com\/soccer\/erling-haaland-fires-man-utd-timely-reminder-as-man-city-beat-young-boys\/","title":{"rendered":"Erling Haaland fires Man Utd timely reminder as Man City beat Young Boys"},"content":{"rendered":"

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It was not a perfect performance from either Manchester City or Erling Haaland but the result will do just fine. And with his first two goals in the Champions League in six games, the striker served notice he might just be coming to the boil nicely for the Manchester derby on Sunday.<\/p>\n

Haaland\u2019s first came from the penalty spot and his second a hooked instinctive finish into the roof of the net on 86 minutes delivered a 37th in just 33 Champions League games. It added to Manuel Akanji\u2019s 48th minute opener, equalised by Meschack Ellia\u2019s deft chip, to give City a comfortable scoreline and nine points from three matches in Group G.<\/p>\n

This was job done in Switzerland and it lent a hefty shove to their prospects of securing safe passage to the knockout stages at the earliest possible opportunity.<\/p>\n

Qualification can be secured in the reverse fixture at the Etihad on November 7 and while Leipzig\u2019s win over Red Star Belgrade last night means they need more to guarantee the preress as gropu winners they top the group but it would allow them to face the Germans in between.<\/p>\n

Guardiola had made seven changes to the side which had beaten Brighton on Saturday \u2013 Erling Haaland, Jeremy Doku, Rodri and Manuel Akanji the survivors. And in truth, a side lacking the benched trio of Phil Foden, Bernardo and Alvarez looked short of attacking intent and creativity.<\/p>\n

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By their standards City were anaemic in the first half of this contest, their best chance falling to Jeremy Doku who fluffed a weak shot straight at Anthony Racioppi. Rodri, with a header from a Matheus Nunes corner, and Erling Haaland, after he was slipped through by Akanji, bookended the Belgian\u2019s fluff with misses of their own. Yet as the half wore on City\u2019s chances kept coming.<\/p>\n

A Grealish shot was spilled, Loris Benito hooking it off the line after the goalkeeper\u2019s save had richocheted off Nunes, while Doku and Rodri both forced Racioppi into a couple of decent saves.<\/p>\n

The opening period was a frustrating one with City too often choosing a safe or sideways option when quick vertical passing looked a better option<\/p>\n

Guardiola hopped and shouted on the sideline \u2013 his frustration with Mateo Kovacic and Jack Grealish evident when the pair failed to make positive choices. That frustration could have boiled over close to the half time break had it not been for a good covering tackle from Nathan Ake, Young Boys springing Cedric Itten clear on a swift counter only for the forward to delay pulling the trigger.<\/p>\n