Erling Haaland's Manchester City progress will be down to Pep Guardiola's ego, says Zlatan Ibrahimovic, while the striker also thinks Kylian Mbappe made a mistake staying with Paris Saint-Germain.
Norway international Haaland arrived at the Etihad Stadium during the last transfer window from Borussia Dortmund and has thus far lived up to the hype that surrounded his signing.
With 22 goals in a combined 15 games between the Premier League and Champions League already, the sky appears to be the limit for the forward this season.
But veteran Milan attacker Ibrahimovic, while a fan of the Leeds-born striker, fears his progress could be stymied by Guardiola, a coach whom he famously failed to connect with at Barcelona.
"Can Guardiola make Haaland even stronger? It depends on Guardiola's ego, if he lets him become bigger than him or not," the Sweden international told Canal+.
"He didn't let me get bigger, me [and] others. Not only me, [but] many others [too]. I like Haaland, very much so. I think he is a very intelligent player. He doesn't do things he is not capable of."
Ibrahimovic also weighed in on the future PSG forward Mbappe, whose next step remains the subject of feverish speculation.
The France attacker penned an extension to stay with the Ligue 1 champions, turning down a move to Real Madrid, but has reportedly seen his working relationships subsequently break down at the club.
On whether he should have made the switch to LaLiga, Ibrahimovic added: "He made the right choice for Paris, not for himself.
"He put himself in a situation where is more important than the club. Then the club gave him the keys for that. But you are never bigger than a club."
Haaland plunders hat-trick as Norway seal Nations League promotion
Norway made light work of Kazakhstan as Erling Haaland's hat-trick inspired them to a 5-0 victory in the Nations League on Sunday.
Without absent captain Martin Odegaard, Norway were skippered by Haaland at Ullevaal Stadion, where the Manchester City forward netted his 25th career hat-trick.
Haaland took his total of international goals to 38 in 39 appearances by scoring twice in the first half before rounding off his star turn in the 71st minute.
The 24-year-old now has 22 goals in all competitions for club and country this season, and is the leading scorer in the Nations League with seven strikes to his name.
Alexander Sorloth scored Norway's third goal, while Antonio Nusa, who was heavily involved in both of Haaland's first-half efforts, got in on the act in the 76th minute.
Norway's victory ensured they finished top of Group B3 on 13 points, two ahead of Austria, therefore promoting Stale Solbakken's team to League A.
Antonio and Dixon out, Morrison returns for Reggae Boyz in crucial clash with USA
Jamaica’s Reggae Boyz will be without key players Michail Antonio and Kaheim Dixon for the second leg of their CONCACAF Nations League quarter-final against the United States at Energizer Stadium in St. Louis on Monday. Both players are unavailable due to lost passports, a situation that could not be resolved in time to secure visas for their travel to the United States, Head Coach Steve McLaren explained during Sunday’s pre-match press conference.
Adding to the Reggae Boyz’s challenges, defender Mason Holgate will also miss the match after receiving a red card in the first leg, which Jamaica lost 1-0 in Kingston last Thursday. Despite these setbacks, Jamaica has bolstered its squad with the return of Ravel Morrison and the inclusion of Khori Bennett, a forward for the Las Vegas Lights in the USL. Bennett, a former Wolmer’s Boys standout, could make his senior debut in this must-win encounter.
Reflecting on the first leg, McLaren expressed disappointment with the result but remained optimistic about Jamaica’s chances. “I think we were unfortunate to come away with a defeat, albeit by just one goal,” McLaren said. “We felt we did enough to draw the game. We didn’t in the end, but we are still in the tie. Away from home, we’ve been in good form recently. This will be a completely different game altogether. We know that USA on home soil is a totally different team, so we expect another very difficult game but come here with optimism and belief.”
Jamaica’s task is clear: overturn the 1-0 deficit and advance to the semi-finals. “We know what our goal is,” McLaren continued. “We need to score two goals or more and win the game. The first goal in this game will be very important.”
A significant storyline heading into the match is the return of Ravel Morrison, who has been absent from the national team for over a year. He last played for Jamaica in March 2023 against Mexico. McLaren, who worked with Morrison at Derby County, is confident the creative midfielder can make a difference.
“I am always looking out for good players and players who can make a difference, handle the ball, big game players, and Ravel has always been one of them,” McLaren said. “He’s got a great personality and unbelievable talent. He wasn’t picked before because he wasn’t playing. He is now playing very well in Dubai, scoring goals and assisting. I think this is a perfect game, a perfect opportunity for Ravel to come into the squad. Whether he starts or comes on, he is one of those players who can win a game of football.”
Jamaica dominated much of the second half in the first leg, coming close to equalizing on multiple occasions. Demarai Gray also missed a crucial penalty after the United States took an early lead. However, McLaren is drawing confidence from the team’s away form and believes the Reggae Boyz have what it takes to pull off a result in St. Louis.
The stakes are high as Jamaica looks to defy the odds, overcome the absence of key players, and secure a spot in the CONCACAF Nations League semi-finals.
Vlahovic: 'Easier' to play for Serbia than Juventus
Dusan Vlahovic says he finds it "easier" to play in Serbia's tactical approach than at Juventus.
The striker has started all 16 games since Thiago Motta took over this season, scoring nine goals in all competitions, with six of those coming in Serie A.
His recent form saw him recalled to Serbia's squad for the Nations League matches this international break, and he got an assist for their equaliser in a 1-1 draw with Switzerland on Saturday.
Overall, Vlahovic has racked up 50 goals at Juve since his move from Fiorentina in January 2022, but he seemingly suggested his game would improve in a different system.
Motta favours a 4-2-3-1 system, with Vlahovic playing as a lone striker, whereas on international duty, he plays as part of a front two, most recently alongside Aleksandar Mitrovic.
"It is a bit easier for me when there is another striker because Mitrovic holds up the ball and engages in aerial duels, so I can make more of my own characteristics and qualities," Vlahovic told RSI when asked the differences between playing for Serbia and Juventus.
"The coach also does not require many defensive duties from me, so that makes it easier too.
"With my physicality, I can't really run that much and am not as fresh in my finishing when I've been working so hard."
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