Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola expressed surprise after Erling Haaland opted not to take a penalty during the FA Cup final against Crystal Palace, which ultimately resulted in a miss by teammate Omar Marmoush. The game saw City trail 1-0 after Eberechi Eze’s goal for Palace. The penalty was awarded in the first half when Palace’s Tyrick Mitchell fouled Bernardo Silva in the area.
Despite Haaland’s impressive form this season, with 30 goals across all competitions, he handed the responsibility to Marmoush. The decision caught Guardiola off guard. “I thought he would want to take it but they didn’t speak. That moment for the penalty, it’s the feeling and how they feel,” Guardiola said. He noted that Marmoush took a significant amount of time before taking the penalty, increasing the pressure, which contributed to Dean Henderson saving the attempt.
Former Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney provided his take on the situation, suggesting that Haaland’s hesitation might stem from the event’s magnitude. He compared Haaland to legendary forwards like Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, stating they have a tendency to be more selfish in such critical moments. “When (Haaland) misses chances, it shows it gets to him,” Rooney noted, implying that perhaps the environment at Wembley was daunting for the young striker.
This incident highlights a broader narrative in Haaland’s season, following his rapid rise in goal-scoring and the records he has achieved since joining Manchester City. With a blend of individual talent and a strong team dynamic, there is still optimism among fans. City aims to leverage this challenging experience for growth and silverware as they continue to navigate the season ahead.
Additionally, Haaland’s ability to bounce back from setbacks will be put to the test as Manchester City prepares for critical matches moving forward, and supporters remain hopeful for a strong finish.
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