Pep Guardiola singles out Manchester City star for praise after Juventus drubbing | OneFootball

Erling Haaland was at the receiving end of some special praise from manager Pep Guardiola after netting his 300th career goal in Manchester City’s 5-2 thrashing of Juventus in the FIFA Club World Cup.

City finished their group-stage campaign in style as goals from Jeremy Doku, Phil Foden, Erling Haaland and Savinho helped Guardiola’s men take revenge on the Old Lady, who got the better of the Blues in the UEFA Champions League group-stage last term.

Manchester City seem to have their mojo back since arriving in the United States after a disappointing and uncharacteristically trophyless season, which saw the Blues finish third in the Premier League, exit the UEFA Champions League at the Round of 16 stage and lose the FA Cup final to Crystal Palace.

However, the ship seems to have turned and the course is now being led by newly-appointed director of football Hugo Viana, who has spearheaded City’s transfer business this summer since taking over from Txiki Begiristain.

City have secured the arrival(s) of Tijjani Reijnders, Rayan Ait-Nouri, Marcus Bettinelli and Rayan Cherki in June, laying down an early marker to signify their intent to challenge for all trophies next term as they plan for life beyond Kevin De Bruyne.

De Bruyne was not given a new contract as he approached the closing months of his most recent deal at the Etihad Stadium, with the 34-year-old joining Napoli on a free transfer after agreeing a two-year deal with the recently-crowned Serie A champions.

Guardiola has been given a new lease of life with a quartet of new signings as well as a major shuffle in his coaching staff, with Pepijn Lijnders and James French joining in as assistant and set-piece coaches following the departures of Juanma Lillo, Carlos Vicens and Inigo Dominguez.

Manchester City have enjoyed a perfect run in the Club World Cup so far and have progressed to the Round of 16 after topping their group, where they will face Al-Hilal as they seek to go all the way and secure a much-needed piece of silverware to kick off the 2025-26 campaign.

Haaland was in amongst the goals against Juventus as the Norway international latched onto a Matheus Nunes cross and tapped the ball into an empty net to grab the 300th goal of his career – a remarkable feat for a 24-year-old forward playing in the best league in world football.

Launching praise on his talisman after the midweek rout of Juventus, Guardiola said: “All I can say is congratulations, scoring 300 goals at 24 years old, this is quite good right?

“Hopefully he (Haaland) can do it, this manager now, his manager was an incredible football player. You are too young, you didn’t see me, but I scored 11 in 11 years, imagine that situation!

“I admire a lot the good strikers. I’m so happy for Erling (Haaland), for his goal again and being involved in the short spaces. It was really good.”