- Haaland questions refereeing decision
- Suggests reaction could have led to red card
- Stands firm on physical approach
Erling Haaland has addressed the incident involving Gabriel Magalhaes, offering his honest take on the refereeing decision during Manchester City’s clash with Arsenal.
Rayan Cherki shone again with the Frenchman opening the scoresheet for the Sky Blues against Arsenal. The Gunners’ Kai Havertz also netted one, equalising for the visitors just 107 seconds later.
However, unlike the game against Chelsea, Erling Haaland also contributed by scoring the winner at the Etihad this afternoon.
Despite the finish, Haaland was in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons following his duel battles against Gabriel Magalhaes.
Haaland talks about the refereeing decision
The duo clashed on multiple occasions during the 90 minutes. However, the battles reached their peak in the second half when Gabriel tore Haaland’s undershirt.
Later, the Gunners’ defender jumped to head a ball landing on Haaland, who was furious. After the striker’s reaction, Gabriel clashed his head into Haaland’s face.
Talking about the incident after the game, the goal machine wasn’t happy with the refereeing decision. He told Sky Sports that a red card wasn’t shown due to his own fragility.
“I think if I fell on the floor, which I will not do unless someone really attacks me, I think maybe it would be a red card, I’m not sure… But it is what it is”, Haaland told Sky Sports.
Confused with the yellow card, he added: “I will not fall on the floor as easy like this. Yellow card, for me, I don’t know why. He comes up to my face. It is what it is.”
Haaland still dominates Gabriel
Despite his best efforts, in eight games against each other, more often than not, Haaland has come out on top.
The Norwegian has six goals and two assists in those eight appearances. He’s also averaged 0.61xG per game from a total of 4.89xG.
With 45 touches in the box, Haaland has been able to average 5.62 per game. The dominance is further supported by his average rating per game of 7.92.
Gabriel is barely surviving
Magalhaes, on the other hand, has still managed two clean sheets against the striker. However, he’s failed to control the game in Haaland’s presence with only seven tackles across eight games.
His clearance (29) volume is high, but that doesn’t discount his disciplinary problems. Gabriel has also committed as many fouls as tackles in those eight games.
The defender is clearly reacting to danger rather than predicting City’s frontline. Additionally, only five interceptions further display his limited ability to fully shut down Haaland or the Sky Blues’ attack.
