Pep Guardiola has spoken about Inter Milan’s backline (Image: Getty)
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has spoken openly about how Inter Milan were able to minimise the threat of Erling Haaland.
City were held to a 0-0 draw by their Serie A opponents at the Etihad Stadium in their Champions League opener on Wednesday night, creating a handful of openings but ultimately failing to break down Inter’s backline.
The Italian giants battled hard for their point, with Simone Inzaghi’s side remaining compact throughout the clash to prevent prolific finisher Haaland from being afforded time and space in dangerous areas.
The performance from Inter will have highlighted to many Premier League managers how they can crowd Haaland out of a game, and Arsenal will certainly take notice ahead of their clash with City this weekend.
Speaking about how Inter dealt with his No. 9, Guardiola said: “There were six players around him. Six. Three behind, three in front. That’s how they kept him out of the game.
“That makes it difficult for any player. [Francesco] Acerbi, [Alessandro] Bastoni were five metres away from him, [Hakan] Calhanoglou, [Piotr] Zielinski in front of him. That’s tough.
Erling Haaland was unable to leave his mark on the Inter clash (Image: Getty)
“We tried to use the spaces, that’s why [Ilkay] Gundogan had a couple of chances but Inter were stronger than us physically. We needed to get more players up alongside Erling and that’s what we did. I knew that Inter would defend like that.”
An injury sustained by Kevin De Bruyne in the first half may have proved pivotal in the match given his willingness to drive into the penalty area, with the Belgium international being forced off at half-time and now a major doubt for the clash with Arsenal.
Mikel Arteta will have learned plenty from City’s draw with Inter (Image: Getty)
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The Gunners’ backline will be keen to ensure that Haaland does not deal their title hopes a major blow over the weekend at the Etihad, though it remains to be seen whether the partnership of William Saliba and Gabriel are capable of keeping the Norwegian at bay.
Haaland has scored nine goals in four Premier League appearances so far this season, and Mikel Arteta may rely on midfielders Declan Rice and Thomas Partey to drop deeper, in the same style as Inter Milan’s central trio did, to ensure that he is not able to run riot.
Arsenal may also benefit from having a backline built from four natural centre-backs, with Jurrien Timber and Ben White in full-back and more than capable of drifting into central areas.
Source: https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1950436/Man-City-news-Pep-Guardiola-Erling-Haaland-Arsenal