Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has expressed his frustration with the treatment Erling Haaland receives from Premier League referees, suggesting the striker is often left unprotected as defenders target him during matches.
Guardiola has been particularly impressed by Haaland’s composure on the pitch, as the Norwegian star is frequently pulled and pushed by defenders, yet rarely gets the benefit of a decision from match officials.
The City manager highlighted Haaland’s ability to remain calm despite the physical attention he regularly faces. Guardiola admitted that he is amazed at how the 24-year-old controls his emotions, as referees often allow the play to continue without penalizing the defenders who are fouling Haaland. The forward’s ability to stay focused without complaining is something Guardiola greatly respects, as he insists the striker’s response to the physical challenges is to simply continue his game, undeterred.
Guardiola pointed out that the Premier League is a physical competition, where players like Haaland are bound to face a lot of physicality from defenders. He explained, “Erling knows it’s going to happen, and he has to stand up and continue, continue, continue. He’s always done this.” Guardiola emphasized that any reaction from Haaland in such situations should not be blown out of proportion, as he believes the real issue lies with the defenders who instigate these confrontations.
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The Catalan manager made his remarks in the wake of Haaland’s tense encounter with Arsenal last September, where the striker had a running battle with defender Gabriel. After City’s late equalizer in the 2-2 draw, Haaland appeared to launch the ball at Gabriel’s head, and the pair exchanged words. Guardiola defended Haaland’s actions, asserting that the emotional intensity of the match, combined with constant pushing and physical challenges from Arsenal defenders, led to the brief altercation.
Although Arsenal’s aggressive approach during that match saw them reduced to 10 men when Leandro Trossard was sent off, Guardiola refrained from criticizing Arsenal’s manager Mikel Arteta. Instead, he chose to focus on his own team’s discipline, praising the manner in which his players approach the game. Guardiola stated, “I think we are an incredible fair play team—sometimes too much. But we have success that way.” He also made it clear that he would defend his players’ conduct both on and off the pitch, highlighting the importance of fair play and respect for referees.
Looking ahead to their upcoming clash with Arsenal, Guardiola is hopeful that Haaland will continue to focus on his game and avoid being distracted by the physical treatment he often receives. While City’s manager knows the striker will always be a target for defenders, he believes the key is to remain composed, as Haaland has shown in the past. Guardiola’s comments underscore his belief that, despite the challenges Haaland faces, the responsibility ultimately lies with the referees to ensure fairness in such encounters.
