TalkSPORT pundit Simon Jordan has made a prediction regarding Manchester City striker Erling Haaland ahead of next week’s second-leg Champions League semi-final clash against Real Madrid.
Tuesday evening saw Pep Guardiola’s side secure a 1-1 draw at the Santiago Bernabeu in the first leg, setting up a crucial second fixture at the Etihad Stadium next week.
Despite finding the net 51 times in 47 appearances across all competitions this season, Haaland failed to get on the scoresheet, with Los Blancos defender Antonio Rudiger marking the Norwegian very closely throughout the game.
With next week’s second-leg game set to decide which team will feature in the final, one pundit has shared their thoughts on what the City striker could get up to in the match.
Jordan tips Haaland for bigger role in second-leg clash
Speaking on talkSPORT, Jordan had this to say on the matter.
He said: “It’s nip and tuck. If Man City go 1-0 up in that game and Madrid have to chase the game then Haaland will become more of a feature because they’ll have to play higher up the field and [Antonio] Rudiger won’t have the opportunity to do what he did in the first game because there will be space in behind.
“All of that is if and or buts, what it does mean is that you’ll see a really, really fascinating game. I think it’s about how Manchester City want to approach it. I think the balance of probability is in favour of Manchester City.”
Given the ease at which the 22-year-old has scored goals throughout most of the season, it’s safe to say that he could fire his side to the final, especially if Jordan’s prediction comes to fruition and he is granted more freedom across the pitch.
However, having had fewer touches (21) than any other City player on the day against Carlo Ancelotti’s side, Guardiola will be hoping the centre-forward will have more of an impact in the next leg.
