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Erling Haaland was thrown into mourning earlier this week following the death of a close family relative but that did not stop him from getting a brace for Manchester City
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has lauded Erling Haaland's exceptional mental resilience following the Norwegian striker’s stellar performance in a 2-1 victory over Brentford at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday.
Haaland, who scored both goals for City, was dealing with the recent loss of a close family friend but chose to play despite being granted compassionate leave.
Guardiola spoke highly of Haaland's ability to compartmentalize his personal grief and focus on the game. "To be able to perform at such a high level while coping with a personal tragedy is a testament to Erling's incredible mental strength," Guardiola said. "It’s not easy to push aside personal pain and give your all for 90 minutes. Yet, he did it, and we saw the results on the pitch."
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Haaland's goals were crucial in overturning Brentford’s early lead, which came just 22 seconds into the match.
His double strike took his tally for the season to nine in just four league games and brought him within one goal of reaching his century for Manchester City.
Guardiola acknowledged Haaland's extraordinary form but tempered his praise with caution. "He’s been exceptional, arguably the best so far this season, but it’s still early days," he noted. "I prefer to evaluate players after 10 or 12 matches."
Despite a rocky start that saw City under pressure from Brentford, Haaland’s performance was a shining light.
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Guardiola's comments reflect his appreciation not only for Haaland's skill but also for his mental resilience, emphasizing the striker’s crucial role in City’s ongoing campaign.
Brentford manager Thomas Frank also commended his team’s performance despite the defeat, highlighting the challenging nature of facing the defending champions. "We showed our quality early on and gave City a tough time," Frank remarked. "I’m proud of our performance and how we competed."
Guardiola’s praise underscores the importance of Haaland’s mental strength as City navigates the demands of a competitive season.
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