Haaland bemused by half-time request from Young Boys star - "You can't do that"

07 November 2023 , 22:28

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Haaland bemused by half-time request from Young Boys star - "You can't do that"

Young Boys defender Mohamed Ali Camara made the surprising move of asking for Erling Haaland's shirt at half-time of the Champions League meeting with Manchester City on Tuesday.

Haaland had scored twice in Switzerland in the previous group game, helping the reigning European champions secure a 3-1 victory. He had been an injury doubt for the meeting at the Etihad Stadium after only managing 45 minutes against Bournemouth on Saturday, but won his race to be fit and put his team in front midway through the first half en route to an eventual 3-0 win.

It was 2-0 by the break, with Phil Foden also on target, and Camara decided to take his chances by asking Haaland for his shirt. The Norwegian appeared to shake his head, but then clearly agreed to the request, handing his jersey to the Guinean international.

If Camara was half-hoping Haaland wouldn't return for the second half, he was out of luck. The Norwegian scored his second of the evening about five minutes after the restart, before eventually leaving the field for the final half hour.

That Haaland played even that many minutes was a surprise to some. CIty boss Pep Guardiola had hinted his top scorer might be out of action until Sunday's Premier League game at Chelsea thanks to the injury he suffered over the weekend.

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"Twist in the ankle, we didn't want to take risks with him he didn't feel comfortable," Guardiola told Match of the Day. "He'll be back maybe Tuesday but maybe next Sunday."

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Erling Haaland gave Mohamed Ali Camara his shirt (TNT SPORTS)

City were all but assured of their progress even before taking to the field against Young Boys, but the victory made mathematically certain. A point at home to RB Leipzig in the next game would ensure they top the group and potentially earn an easier last-16 tie, and forward Jack Grealish told TNT Sports that qualifying with time to spare was exactly what the team wanted.

"Every year we have so many games," he said. "Obviously, we are not in the Carabao Cup now, but most of the time we are in all the competitions. To qualify with two games to spare, that is what we wanted to do.

"He [Pep Guardiola] gives us so much. In my opinion, he is the best manager in the world," Grealish added. "He has shown that over the years. But you can have the best manager in the world, you also need the team.

"And that is what we have, a brilliant team on the pitch but also off the pitch we have a brilliant team that is so close. We love being with each other every day and playing with each other."

Tom Victor