Manchester City secured full points when they hosted Brentford in Week 25 of the 2023-2024 Premier League. The two teams faced each other at the Etihad Stadium, Wednesday (21/2/2024).
The home team was only able to win narrowly with a final score of 1-0. The only goal scored in this match was created by Erling Haaland in the 71st minute.
Appearing in front of the public itself, Manchester City immediately took control of the match. Erling Haaland and his colleagues played quite effectively in finding quick goals against the opponent’s goal.
However, Brentford’s defense was still too tight to penetrate. Mark Flekken also performed quite well in goal.
The Citizens – Manchester City’s nickname – continued to attack the visiting team’s defense. However, the points score lasted until the first half ended.
Entering the second half, Pep Guardiola’s troops regained control of the game. Manchester City players directed attack after attack again at Brentford’s defense.
After making many attempts, the goal that the home team had been waiting for was only created in the 71st minute. Erling Haaland got his name on the scoreboard after using a pass from Julian Alvarez.
Brentford had time to increase the tempo of the game in search of an equalizer. However, their efforts always stopped midway until the score was 1-0 for Man City’s advantage to last until the match was over.
Guardiola said that Haaland’s performance had indeed experienced a decline. However, he did not give harsh criticism to the player because he believed he would return to scoring goal after goal for The Citizens – Manchester City’s nickname.
“When I was young, I was told about top strikers, don’t criticize them because he will shut your mouth, that’s for sure. Sooner or later they will always be there,” said Guardiola, quoted from the Manchester City website, Wednesday (21/2 /2024).
The former Barcelona coach said the injury was indeed a test for Haaland. Not only that, there are factors off the field that pose additional challenges, but the striker continues to show his quality again.
“He was out for two months (due to injury). He had a really tough week last week, he lost his grandma and it’s not easy for anyone. But he scored goals when he was not at his best at the moment,” continued Guardiola.
“We talked about that moment, but he didn’t say anything about his grandmother’s death,” he added.
Guardiola said Haaland was the difference between Man City and Brentford. He believes that Manchester City also faced stiff resistance from the opposing team in that match.
“In a game like this, especially against Brentford you need Erling. In a game like this like Brentford, it’s very difficult for us because you can break the transition like Liverpool did in the last game. But against us there is no space,” continued Guardiola.
“Last season we lost six points against them, fortunately (this season) we were able to win both,” he continued.
