Pep Guardiola highlights one area where his star man is crucial to his team | OneFootball

So far this season, Erling Haaland has scored four goals in Manchester City’s first two Premier League games of the season. City’s number 9 looks sharp and focused during the early stages of the season. But after his team’s 4-1 win over Ipswich Town at the Etihad on Saturday Pep Guardiola has highlighted another of City’s play that Haaland is vital to. Guardiola’s explanation offers an interesting insight into what he expects from his star striker.

In an interview published on mancity.com Pep Guardiola explained what he expects from Erling Haaland during games. The assumption is to score goals, but there is more to Erling Haaland’s role than just scoring goals. Guardiola explained: “I like it when he runs a lot. I like it when he presses like an animal, I like it. It helps to score a goal. When you are connected you are defensively, you are connected offensively. When you are defensively disconnected, the ball comes to you and surprises you, you’re not precise. They know what they have to do and help us with his body language. If the central defender has the ball, make him sprint with this body, with those legs moving. It’s scary and helps the people in the middle to support him, and we are more effective in our high pressing. We need him. It is not negotiable. If he doesn’t score a goal, that’s fine, but you have to do it.”

Manchester City’s high press is a vital compchampion’sthe champions play.

The defensive work rate of Pep Guardiola’s side is an often overlooked attribute of the champion’s play. Every player, no matter their reputation is expected to help out defensively. That starts with Erling Haaland up front and across every player on the pitch. When the champions press is at it’s best it is a devastating weapon in their arsenal. When Manchester City eliminated Rethe al Madrid in the semi-final second leg at the Etihad during the 22/23 season, they pressed the La Liga giants within an inch of their lives, so to speak. Carlo Ancelotti’s side couldn’t keep the ball and it helped Pep Guardiola’s side claim a famous victory. That is the most famous example of City’s press in full effect.

It was once again on display against Ipswich Town on Saturday. Savinho forced Ipswich keeper Arijanet Muric into an error which served up City’s second goal of the game on a platter to Kevin De Bruyne. While Manchester City’s free-flowing football gets the plaudits and praise their defensive work rate helps set the table for the champions to feast.

Manchester City’s high press is a vital component to their success. It always has been since they began their dominance of English football over the past seven years. As Pep Guardiola pointed out Erling Haaland is vital to this part of City’s play. His defensive efforts show that no matter the size of a players reputation to play for Manchester City they must do their bit defensively. That effort helps City maintain their position at the top of the game and they will be crucial to their chances this season of staying there.