Erling Haaland showed a different side of his game for Norway and if he adds it at City look out | OneFootball

Erling Haaland scored for Norway last night as they beat Italy 3-nil in Oslo in their World Cup qualifier last night. Norway is now top of Group I in the UEFA World Cup qualifying section with 9 points from their opening three games. Haaland scored Norway’s third goal last night with a composed finish after rounding Gianluigi Donnarumma in the Italian goal. Haaland’s goal wasn’t the standout feature of his performance last night. His work rate and pressing all over the pitch were. If he can bring that work rate to Manchester City’s matches next season, it may help take Haaland’s game to another level.

Erling Haaland led from the front for Norway last night.

Erling Haaland’s goal for Norway last night was his 40th for his country. It’s almost to be expected that Haaland will score for Norway. But there was another side to Haaland’s game last night that was a key part of Norway’s win. It wasn’t his goal-scoring prowess. It was his pressing and all-around work rate that caught the eye.

Erling Haaland played a key role out of possession for Norway last night. He rarely let Gianluigi Donnarumma or the Italian defenders settle when they had possession. The clip below demonstrates the intensity that Haaland brought last night out of possession. He was obviously up for the occasion on a big night for his country. But the clip below illustrates what Haaland can add to his game for Manchester City on a more consistent basis. If he does, he becomes infinitely more dangerous for Pep Guardiola’s side, which is a frightening prospect to ponder.

Erling Haaland’s development as a player will be aided if his performance last night becomes the norm.

If Erling Haaland can show the work rate out of possession that he did for Norway last night for Manchester City it could help take his game to another level. Haaland’s goalscoring is already elite, and his ability to drop deep and help Manchester City’s possession game remains a work in progress. But if he adds the pressing and defensive drive from last night to his game for Manchester City he’s a more dangerous proposition.

Erling Haaland frightens Manchester City’s opponents with his sheer presence. He is often double and triple-marked when Pep Guardiola’s side has possession. Out of possession, for Manchester City, Haaland doesn’t press with the same intensity that he displayed last night. But it’s clear to see that he can do it. Although it must be said that Pep Guardiola’s side presses in a different manner to that of Norway, and Haaland does carry a heavier workload for Manchester City than he does for his country due to the number of games Pep Guardiola’s side plays each season. Haaland does need to protect his body so maybe he can’t press or work for his team consistently like he did last night due to that factor.

Erling Haaland played like a man possessed for Norway last night. But his work out of possession last night was a prominent feature of his performance. It was also a promising sign for Haaland’s development as a Manchester City player. If Haaland can bring the effort he displayed last night to his performances for City, he could and will become an even more dangerous proposition for Manchester City’s opponents.