The Tameside Radio presenter reflects on an astonishing Champions League night for Pep Guardiola's team - and Norwegian superstar Erling Haaland in particular!

There’s only one name on the lips of Manchester City fans, indeed football fans around the world, right now; Erling Haaland! I’m not going to list his amazing statistics except to say that he’s already the club’s record scorer, in one season and we’re only half way through March. He’s also the first player since Sergio Aguero to score five goals in a game. 

At Crystal Palace, in the Premier League, last weekend, Haaland’s penalty proved decisive, so his value to the Blues can’t be questioned. When asked if he could be the “missing piece” in City’s bid to win their first Champions League, Pep Guardiola said that scoring goals hasn’t been a problem during his tenure, it’s been conceding. He’s right and there will be tougher challenges to come if City are to lift the trophy in Istanbul. 

Although Haaland, understandably, will capture all the headlines, I think this was another amazing team performance. The three key midfielders, Kevin De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva and Ilkay Gundogan were brilliant. What Pep Guardiola believes in, is quick incisive passing. He’s always said that Tiki-taka, which is passing without purpose, is not what he wants from his players. Most of the time, they don’t play Tiki-taka. 

When they’re fully focussed and Pep selects his strongest eleven, the team appears to be unstoppable. Last season the Blues seemed to be on course for a second Champions League final and were the better side until the last few minutes of the semi-final second leg at the Bernabeu against Real Madrid, but then they conceded a couple of sloppy goals and the dream ended. 

The thing that makes this team special, is the fact that all the players, in that form, are on the same wave length. Every pass is accurate, even under pressure, and even to the right side of the receiving player, so that his next pass is easier. The movement off the ball is perfect too and the options the man in possession has are never limited. 

Despite the accusations thrown at Manchester City by UEFA and now the Premier League, City’s investment, in recent years, has not been different to the Premier League clubs around them. The secret to their success is not just spending power, even though we all know that only those that have the biggest resources can usually compete for the trophies, but United, Liverpool and Chelsea have spent the same, or more, without success. 

The coach and the players deserve all the credit. It’s not easy to play the way City do, and it’s even more remarkable that they’ve been able to keep the intensity of their play year after year. We’ve seen what’s happened to Liverpool this season. They’ve been strong challengers for a few seasons, but their brand of high pressing has exhausted them. City are also renowned for their energetic press, but despite changes in personnel, they’re still capable of producing their stylish brand of football over and over again. 

This weekend, no doubt with a slight reshuffle of their starting eleven, they take on Vincent Kompany’s impressive Championship table toppers and likely Premier League team next season, Burnley. If I were a Clarets fan, I’d be a little nervous about Saturday’s trip to the Etihad Stadium. 

One of these days Pep Guardiola will call time of his stay in Manchester and many believe Vincent Kompany, and Blues legend, will be his natural successor. The FA Cup quarter final will be a great audition for him and I’m sure he’ll get a heroes welcome on his return, but who would bet against City reaching the Wembley semi-finals in this form, with or without their record breaking striker Erling Haaland.

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