If Erling Haaland fires against Brighton his team will come with him | OneFootball

Manchester City will enter today’s Premier League match with Brighton off the back of three consecutive defeats. Losses to Tottenham, Bournemouth and Sporting CP have taken some of the early gloss off City’s start to the season. The loss to Sporting was particularly chastening as all of City’s weaknesses were laid bare. But during the Sporting game, Erling Haaland put in one of his worst displays for the season. But if he can fire today at the Amex Stadium his team will follow him. That’s the challenge for City’s number 9 today.

It has to be said that Erling Haaland had his chances against Sporting CP in midweek. The same can be said during City’s defeat to Bournemouth last weekend. But he was unusually wasteful in front of goal in Portugal and at the Vitality Stadium. That is the life of a striker at times, even one as good as Haaland. But the mark of a champion is how they respond to adversity. That is Haaland’s challenge today against Fabian Hurzeler’s side.

Typically teams defend deep against Manchester City to stifle Haaland. That has had a measure of success in containing City’s number 9 since his blistering start to the season. But Brighton is a possession-based team, and they will likely attack Pep Guardiola’s side. If that occurs it may give Haaland the ideal platform to return to his best. If he does his team will follow him. Erling Haaland is one of Manchester City’s leaders, and when he is firing, his team lifts with him. So the challenge is there for Haaland to respond after his poor display in midweek.

Perhaps the return of Kevin De Bruyne may help Erling Haaland’s cause. The Manchester City legend is on his way back from a groin injury. But if De Bruyne doesn’t start today, Haaland must return to his best alongside whoever is on the pitch with him. It’s too simple to say when De Bruyne returns so will the goals for Haaland. A player of Haaland’s standing should be dominating games irrespective of who’s on the team sheet. That is his challenge today against Brighton.

Manchester City need their star striker to return to his best today. If Erling Haaland fires it may well see City end their three game losing slide. That is the challenge for Haaland. It is also one he has risen too many times in his City career. If he can again today it may well set Pep Guardiola’s side on their way to a crucial three points at the Amex Stadium.