Manchester City manager, Pep Guardiola, has insisted that Borussia Dortmund star, Erling Haaland, was almost unstoppable during both sides’ Champions League quarter-final second-leg tie in Germany.
Guardiola explained that Haaland is a top-class player, adding that the Norway international will be stronger in the future.
Phil Foden’s strike against Dortmund secured a place in the Champions League semi-finals for the first time under Guardiola’s leadership.
Riyad Mahrez had equalised from the spot as Man City shrugged off Jude Bellingham’s early opener to beat Dortmund 4-2 on aggregate.
The Premier League leaders will now face Paris Saint-Germain in the semi-final.
“I would say this player [Haaland] is almost unstoppable, and the best way to defend against these talented players is to not let them have the ball,” Guardiola said at his post-match news conference.
“They want the ball, they need the ball, so don’t [let them] have it. For that, we need to play good and try to let him live away from our box. It happened in both games.
“He is a player not [just] because he is fast, the quality of his first control, how he links with his mates, strong in the air and good finishing.
“He’s a top-class player, top class, and will be stronger in the future.”