Erling Haaland admits feeling pressure to deliver Champions League glory to Man City
By Tom Gott
Manchester City striker Erling Haaland has admitted he is feeling the pressure of being the team's talisman as they seek to end their long wait for Champions League glory.
The Premier League's leading scorer has given City a new edge this season and they head into Saturday's final against Inter as heavy favourites, with Pep Guardiola's side tipped to finally get their hands on the one trophy that has alluded them for years.
Not only is the Champions League trophy on the line, but City are chasing a famous treble which only rivals Manchester United have ever brought back to England, and the magnitude of the task at hand is not lost on Haaland.
"Of course I feel pressure," he confessed. "I would lie if I said I didn't.
"They won the Premier League without me, they won every trophy without me. So I'm here to try to do a thing that the club has never done before and I'll do my best."
READ MORE BUILD-UP TO MAN CITY VS INTER IN THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FINAL
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Haaland heads into the game on a scoring drought which, by his standards, almost defies belief. He has netted just once in his last seven games in all competitions, but Haaland insisted he is enjoying the criticism that is coming his way.
"I don't read anything because I think my brain would be a bit crazy if I was reading everything everyone is writing," he said. "I cannot do that but, of course, I get things with me - and then it's even better to score in the next game.
"I think often it's a good thing when people start criticising you. I scored every single game and then people started criticising me. That's what happened basically. When people criticise you it's just about trying to smile a bit and enjoy life.
"You can think of it as one goal in seven games or 52 goals in 52 games and eight assists, I think. You can think of it in both ways. I'm not stressed. I feel really good."
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