"Erling Haaland As Good As Players Around Him": Ex Man City Player Mark Seagreaves

Already past the 50-goal mark for Manchester City this season, Erling Haaland was kept quiet by Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League first leg last week. Fair to say that Carlo Ancelloti's plan largely worked and it was only a screamer from Kevin de Bryne that helped Pep Guardiola's men secure a 1-1 draw. As the two teams gear up for the second leg on Wednesday, there's a sense of wondering over the tactics and gameplay Guardiola would prepare his team for. While Haaland has been absolutely prolific at home this season, former Man City player Mark Seagreaves feels the striker is only as good as the players around him.

In a chat with NDTV, Seagreaves gave his insights from the first match between Real Madrid and Man City. Coming into the second leg, the footballer-turned-pundit feels Haaland would be more active in front of the goal in the second leg than he was in the first leg.

During the chat, Seagreaves was also asked about Eduardo Camavinga who has made the left-back position his own at Real Madrid with superlative performances.

Question:Real Madrid largely succeeded in their plan to silence Erling Haaland in the first leg. What do you think Pep Guardiola can do differently to unleash Haaland in the second leg?

Mark Seagreaves: I think they will play the same way, the same system. Hope, maybe one of the center-halfs doesn't have as good a game as they had in the first leg. If he gets an opportunity, a second in front of these defenders to score. It's not just all about Haaland. He is just a cog in the wheel at Man City. There are loads of other fantastic players. De Bruyne, Mahrez, Grealish, Silva. They've got quality. Haaland is only as good as the players around him. They are the players who give him