Manchester City striker Erling Haaland hailed by RB Leipzig boss Marco Rose after five-star show
- Oscar Sanders
- 15 March 2023
RB Leipzig manager Marco Rose has hailed the five-star performance from Manchester City striker Erling Braut Haaland in their 7-0 thrashing in Champions League Round 16 second-leg action on Wednesday.
The first leg was a completely different affair as Haaland managed only 22 touches in the whole game. This time, however, the Norwegian bagged five goals and could have had a double hat-trick had he not been taken off by City manager Pep Guardiola on the hour mark.
The Red Bull outfit's boss was effusive in his praise of the former Borussia Dortmund man, who has now 11 goals in six appearances against RB Leipzig dating back from his time in the Bundesliga.
"He had a great night, he was so hungry," said Rose. "He scored goals with his foot, he scored goals with his head, he won second balls, he made deep runs, and it looked really simple. Congratulations to Erling."
Rose admitting to being surprised at the criticism levelled at Haaland after the first leg prior to the second leg.
"I'm really surprised that he has received criticism. He's scored 28 goals in 26 league games," said Rose after the first leg. "If you take those goals away, I don't know where City would be in the table. I don't know what we're talking about. Everyone knows about Haaland's qualities. We were able to defend well against him in the first leg, but you'll never be able to keep him completely quiet."
