Erling Haaland: Pep Guardiola says Norwegian 'has improved' but 'can be better' ahead of crunch RB Leipzig tie

Erling Haaland «has improved» but «can be better», says Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola ahead of his side's crunch Champions League second-leg Round of 16 tie with RB Leipzig. The second leg at the Etihad will begin finely poised with the first match in Germany on February 22 ending 1-1, after Josko Gvardiol cancelled out Riyad Mahrez's opener. Ad All eyes will therefore be on whether Haaland can make the difference in a European knockout game, and he will be looking to score for the first time in the Champions League since October 5, as a result of a combination of a couple of goalless games, being rested, and injury.

TransfersPSG launch ambitious plan to partner Mbappe with Haaland — Paper Round21 HOURS AGO “I don’t like one player just to be in the box to score goals,” said Guardiola in his pre-match press conference. “Of course, it’s so important [but] it’s not all we need of him. “When we are away from the opponents’ box and he cannot score a goal we need him to be involved and be active.

We have to take a look at him, and he has to be involved in what we are doing. “And we can improve. [He has improved] a little bit, he can improve better.” Kevin De Bruyne, also up in front of the assembled media, was asked why Haaland's scoring rate has dropped off from its blistering early-season levels, and delivered rather more of a defence of the Norwegian's contribution this term.