Erling Haaland’s Champions League winner reminded Pep Guardiola of Johan Cruyff

Pep Guardiola in contrast Erling Haaland to Johan Cruyff after the prolific Norwegian volleyed an outstanding late winner towards Borussia Dortmund.

Haaland shocked his previous membership with six minutes remaining of a good Champions League conflict on the Etihad Stadium as he leapt and stretched to show in a swerving Joao Cancelo cross.

His effort accomplished a late City comeback and snatched a 2-1 victory after they’d trailed 1-0 till John Stones struck a superb Eightieth-minute equaliser.

It was additionally Haaland’s thirteenth aim in simply 9 appearances since his summer time transfer to City from Dortmund.

City supervisor Guardiola, who performed underneath Dutch nice Cruyff at Barcelona, mentioned: “Maybe the people who know me know the influence of Johan Cruyff in my life as a person, a mentor, a manager.

“Years ago, he scored in Camp Nou an incredible goal versus Atletico Madrid. It was quite similar today with Haaland and the moment he scored it I thought, ‘Johan Cruyff’. It was quite similar.

“It was a really good one and the assist from Joao was exceptional.”

If that comparability was not beneficial sufficient, Guardiola additionally felt Haaland reminded him of Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

He mentioned: “I remember my dear friend Ibrahimovic had this ability to put the leg on the roof and Erling is quite similar on that.

“I think it is his nature. He is elastic, he is flexible and has the ability to make the contact and put the ball in the net.”

City laboured throughout a goalless first half and fell behind when England worldwide Jude Bellingham headed dwelling for Dortmund simply earlier than the hour.

Guardiola responded with a triple substitution and his adjustments injected contemporary urgency into his aspect.

With Stones levelling from distance earlier than Haaland’s late effort, City claimed a hard-fought win that took them to the highest of Group G with six factors from two video games.

Guardiola mentioned: “We had a lot of problems to get rhythm and were so passive in transition. We struggled, we played in the wrong gear.

“The last 35 minutes we realised, ‘OK we are 1-0 down’, and subs came on and gave us a new rhythm.

“After that you can lose but this is who we are.

“But the Champions League doesn’t wait, it doesn’t forgive you. They defended really well.”

City additionally beat Dortmund 2-1 in each legs of their quarter-final tie in 2021.

Dortmund coach Edin Terzic mentioned: “It’s the third time we’ve produced a great performance against them and the third time we’re going home empty-handed.

“It’s tough to accept because the lads deserved at least a point tonight, especially when you’re leading so close to the final whistle. But you just see the quality they have in moments like that.”