Erilng Haaland interview on Man City critics and Champions League pressure

Here, finally, was Erling Haaland.

Since the season began last July, it had taken until the fourth hour of Manchester City's media day in June for the Striking Viking to speak to written media about his time at the club. In that time Haaland has changed how goalscoring is viewed in England and is one game away from fulfilling the biggest dream behind his move to the Etihad.

City knew the Norwegian would elevate the profile of the club as everyone flocked to get a glimpse of the phenomenon, yet his performances on the pitch have sent his media appearances skyrocketing. On top of all the interviews with rights-holders around matches, Haaland has done up to 30 immediately after games after making himself the story again and again with his 52 goals (and eight assists); under those circumstances, you can hardly blame him for not stopping for an optional 31st.

It is a sign of the historic circumstances Haaland has propelled City towards that he is stood on an indoor pitch in Manchester in June in front of a scrum of reporters all shouting questions at him. A player brought to help the Blues win the Champions League is 90 minutes away from doing so.

READ MORE: Pick your Man City starting XI for Champions League final against Inter Milan

Yet that all felt a long way away back in February as City slumped to another limp defeat at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Their No.9 had just gone goalless for the third league game in a row and Pep Guardiola saw his team far away from runaway leaders Arsenal.

The commentary was stinging, with an otherwise fair critique from Jamie Carragher on Sky going over the top when analysing the team's problems finding their striker by suggesting that Haaland had joined the wrong club and was only