Erling Haaland Played Well – Pep Guardiola
Pep Guardiola, when asked about what he said to Erling Haaland after the missed penalty, elaborated on his team’s overall performance:
“I congratulated the team. I said, ‘He played well, boys.’ It’s not just about the penalty; it’s about how we played, how we created chances, and how we stayed focused in crucial moments. Erling is an incredible player, and one missed penalty doesn’t change that.
“Our only chance is to continue, recover, and prepare well for the next match against Leicester. We need to focus on improving and staying consistent. It’s New Year’s Eve later, but before that, we have days to train, work, and do what we need to keep going. The season is long, and we take it one step at a time.”
This reflects Guardiola’s characteristic emphasis on collective effort and preparation for upcoming challenges rather than dwelling on individual mistakes.