Top Ad
I DIG Radio
www.idigradio.com
Listen live to the best music from around the world!
I DIG Style
www.idigstyle.com
Learn about the latest fashion styles and more...

Guardiola rages over Haaland's penalty gesture

Written by 
Published in Soccer
Saturday, 06 May 2023 16:12

A magnanimous gesture by Manchester City's Erling Haaland left Pep Guardiola fuming on Saturday after the Norwegian striker ignored his manager's orders to take a spot-kick and handed the ball to teammate Ilkay Gundogan.

After the German midfielder had scored a first-half brace to put the Premier League leaders 2-0 up against Leeds United, Guardiola yelled from the sidelines for Haaland to take the penalty they had been awarded in the closing minutes.

- Dawson: City keep winning as Gundogan outshines Haaland
- Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (U.S.)

But the 22-year-old Haaland, who has already scored a Premier League single-season record of 35 goals, glanced at Guardiola before handing the ball to Gundogan so that the German could complete a hat trick.

It was a move that sent the Spanish manager into fits of rage, especially as Gundogan's effort was pushed aside by a diving Joel Robles.

"If Gundo scores everyone is 'OK, hat trick, well done,'" Guardiola said following City's 2-1 victory.

"But a taker is a taker. At 2-0, this is a business, not a situation where we cannot forget it."

The 32-year-old Gundogan felt the heat from Guardiola when he stepped up to the spot.

"First he showed to Erling that he was quite mad about that, and then also he had a go at me," Gundogan told BBC Sport. "It is what it is at the end.

"The moment Erling grabbed the ball, I was sure he was going to take it but he looked out for me. I checked with him a few times to make sure he was sure. He was certain to hand the ball to me. I was confident to score."

Haaland had several excellent scoring chances, with a shot that bounced off the crossbar and another that glanced off the post.

With City in pursuit of their third successive Premier League title, and the win having extended their lead over second-placed Arsenal to four points, Guardiola's mood had improved somewhat by the time he met reporters postgame.

"The performance was excellent. We played really, really good," said the Spaniard, whose side have four league games left this season.

"Who knows if Erling takes the penalty and miss it? What happen if Gundo takes the penalty and score? So the question is 2-0, who is the taker? The taker is Erling.

"Second point is that is how Erling is as a person. He is incredible, wants to score goals, but at the same time, the team, the mates are important. He had chances to score goals, he didn't convert, but he played an outstanding game.

"But it's 2-0, especially in England it never is over and I want the taker who has more routine, who is a specialist, to take it."

Treble-chasing City next head to Real Madrid for the first leg of their Champions League semifinal on Tuesday.

Read 209 times

Soccer

FIFA donates $50m for Qatar World Cup legacy

FIFA donates $50m for Qatar World Cup legacy

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsFIFA launched a $50 million legacy fund for social programmes on We...

Guardiola sorry for self-harm remark after draw

Guardiola sorry for self-harm remark after draw

EmailPrintManchester City boss Pep Guardiola has apologised for suggesting he wanted to hurt himself...

Guardiola's new Man City deal means nothing if stars don't sign extensions, too

Guardiola's new Man City deal means nothing if stars don't sign extensions, too

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsManchester City did the easy part by having manager Pep Guardiola s...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

2024 PARIS OLYMPIC


Basketball

KD, Beal return as Suns' big 3 leads rout of Lakers

KD, Beal return as Suns' big 3 leads rout of Lakers

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsPHOENIX -- Bradley Beal and Kevin Durant each scored 23 points and...

Giannis out vs. Heat due to pregame knee issue

Giannis out vs. Heat due to pregame knee issue

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsMIAMI -- Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo is out for Tues...

Baseball

Champion Dodgers adding Snell, sources say

Champion Dodgers adding Snell, sources say

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsFree agent left-hander Blake Snell and the Los Angeles Dodgers have...

Dodgers split $46M from record MLB playoff pool

Dodgers split $46M from record MLB playoff pool

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsNEW YORK -- A full postseason share for the World Series champion L...

Sports Leagues

  • FIFA

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association
  • NBA

    National Basketball Association
  • ATP

    Association of Tennis Professionals
  • MLB

    Major League Baseball
  • ITTF

    International Table Tennis Federation
  • NFL

    Nactional Football Leagues
  • FISB

    Federation Internationale de Speedball

About Us

I Dig® is a leading global brand that makes it more enjoyable to surf the internet, conduct transactions and access, share, and create information.  Today I Dig® attracts millions of users every month.r

 

Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: www.idig.com
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Affiliated