RB Leipzig boss Marco Rose does not understand the criticism of Erling Haaland’s performances for Manchester City, joking: “If you don’t need him, send him to me.”
Leipzig will travel to the Etihad Stadium for the Champions League round of 16 second leg against City on Tuesday.
Rose’s team included Haaland, whom he coached for one season at Borussia Dortmund, but this season the Norwegian has scored an incredible 28 goals in 26 Premier League games.
Despite these returns, some have suggested that Haaland is not suited to Pep Guardiola’s possession style of play, with former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher wondering if the striker moved to the wrong club last month.
However, former boss Holland Rose sees no downside to his presence at the City team and believes that it is impossible to completely silence him.
If you don’t need it, send it to me! I’ll take him,” Rose said at the pre-match press conference on Monday. “Even in just the last 10 games. After that you can get it back!
“I’m really surprised by this [criticism]. He scored 28 goals in 26 league matches. With those goals removed, I don’t know where City would be in the league.
Holland’s penalty pic.twitter.com/JRCnuYxclY
— Manchester City (@ManCity) March 11, 2023
“I don’t know what we’re talking about. Everyone knows about the qualities of Haaland. We were able to defend him well in the first match, but you can never silence him completely.
“They don’t only have Erling – there will be a lot of world-class players that we will need to watch out for.”
Haaland has scored 17 goals in 11 Champions League home matches in his career, scoring two or more goals seven times and averaging a goal every 49 minutes in those matches.
Rose says City are on a 23-match unbeaten streak in Champions League games at the Etihad, so Leipzig must have their best record of the season to progress.
“We played against Manchester City three weeks ago. We know what we are facing,” he said. “In the end, you have to find the right balance against such a top team.
“Trust, confidence and our best game of the season is what we need tomorrow.”