Haaland Earns Support for Upholding ‘Unwritten Rule’ Amidst Guardiola’s Displeasure
Erling Haaland has received support after upsetting Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola.
Manchester City striker Erling Haaland has received support after refusing to disobey a “unwritten rule” that enraged his manager. Pep Guardiola was disappointed that the striker did not take a penalty against Leeds, but West Ham’s Michail Antonio believes he was correct not to.
On Saturday, City was leading Leeds 2-0 in the Premier League when they were granted a penalty inside the final 10 minutes. Haaland intended to give Ilkay Gundogan the chance to complete a hat-trick after he scored the first two goals for the hosts.
Despite Guardiola’s insistence that Haaland take the penalty, Gundogan took it and saw his shot strike the post. Leeds nearly quickly went up the other end to score and get back into the game.
Guardiola’s rage was on display as he yelled at Haaland from the sidelines, with cameras capturing him stating, “You have to take it.” But Antonio believes Haaland was correct to allow Gundogan the chance to record his first professional hat-trick.
“It’s an unwritten rule,” he stated on the Footballer’s Football podcast. It’s an unwritten rule among the players.
“Managers are unhappy because they believe their penalty taker is their penalty taker. If a man has two goals and a chance to achieve a hat-trick, give it to them!”
Guardiola was relieved when City hung on for the victory. After the game, the Spaniard was queried about the situation and stated that Haaland should have taken the penalty kick.
Guardiola said: “Who knows if Erling takes the penalty and misses? What happens if Riyad [Mahrez] takes the penalty and misses?
“What happens if Ilkay Gundogan takes the penalty and scores? The question is if it’s 2-0, who is the taker? The taker is Erling or Riyad, has to take it.
“Second point is that is shows how is Erling as a person. He wants to score goals, but at the same time the team, the mates are so important.
“He had chances to score, he didn’t convert but at the same time, he was outstanding. But at 2-0 especially in England, the game never is over. I wanted the taker to take it, they have more routine and specialist. That means if Erling or Riyad take a penalty, he is going to score? Maybe not. Who knows.
“He is ruthless, but at the same time if Ilkay has never scored a hat-trick, he’s so generous, so nice. Who knows it, the feeling is he has more confidence right now because he’s taken ten or 11 penalties and has the feeling, Gundo doesn’t have the feeling. I understand both sides. The game could be over for the chances.”
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