Pep Guardiola explains the reasons behind Erling Haaland’s electrifying goalscoring form

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Pep Guardiola explains the reasons behind Erling Haaland’s electrifying goalscoring form

Pep Guardiola believes that Erling Haaland has overcome his physical problems and is back to scoring goals.

After a record-breaking first season in England, Haaland’s numbers dipped slightly in 2023/24, scoring 38 goals in 45 games.

This season, however, he is tormenting defenses across England and has scored nine goals in his first four games, including two hat-tricks, and Guardiola believes Haaland’s fitness is behind his renewed form.

The difference in previous seasons is that you feel his body, the niggles, the fatigue, he is better,” said Guardiola.

“He came from Dortmund with a lot of problems, with muscle problems in the first month, he struggled a bit. Until now. [this season] you feel ‘clean, good and no problem.’

“I don’t expect him to score two or three goals in one game, it’s not a problem because I know the level is there, but the difference from last season feels good, he has no problems. If the players have that feeling, they can’t do their best.”

Haaland arrived from Borussia Dortmund with a reputation as one of Europe’s best strikers, but Guardiola admitted he was surprised to see the 24-year-old reach the top.

“Slightly [surprised]yes,” said Guardiola. “Do you know, I played for 11 years as a professional [for Barcelona] and I scored 11 goals. The boy scored nine goals in four games. He can match me in one more game! So you surprise me!”