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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
Barney Ronay at Stamford Bridge

Erling Haaland’s shadow display adds intrigue to Manchester City story

Erling Haaland (centre) attempts to control the ball whilst under pressure from Chelsea’s Kalidou Koulibaly (left).
Erling Haaland (centre) attempts to control the ball whilst under pressure from Chelsea’s Kalidou Koulibaly (left). Photograph: Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC/Getty Images

It took less than two minutes at Stamford Bridge for Pep Guardiola, dressed for a mild January night in a Captain Haddock outfit of navy blue roll neck and chunky black shoes, to appear on his touchline and begin whirling his arms in a series of lightning-fast rotational gestures.

Guardiola whistled and pirouetted. He summoned Erling Haaland and machine-gunned him with tactical instructions. Haaland nodded. What was Pep saying here? Look a bit more menacing? Walk around a bit more? At this stage the game was 90 seconds old.

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