Erling Haaland has claimed Pablo Rosario “grabbed my bottom” during Manchester City’s 2-0 win at Porto on Tuesday. The incident occurred in the 92nd minute, with Haaland having scored City’s goals. The forward and midfielder grappled, went to ground and were booked after being separated.
“I was really keen on a hat-trick and it seemed like he was very eager to stop me from getting it,” Haaland told Norway’s TV 2. “It was a little interesting, that – you’ll be seeing a picture where he’s grabbing my bottom. It’ll be interesting to see that picture.”
The flashpoint followed one as half-time neared in a niggly encounter. After Marc Guéhi and Gabriel Veiga had a coming together that left the latter with a head injury, tempers frayed. When the teams walked off for the interval a bust-up occurred involving players and staff near the tunnel.
Images showed Rúben Dias placing a hand on what appeared to be Francesco Farioli, the Porto head coach. Uefa will wait for the match report of the referee, Szymon Marciniak, and its delegate, Stéphanie Ford, before deciding whether to bring any action against the defender or City.
Haaland’s 47th-minute opener was a header and the No 9 revealed he had been working on the skill recently with his dad, Alf Inge, a former City player.
“Two days ago I was practising headers with my dad in the garden,” he said. “Over the years, I’ve worked a lot on my heading. I’ve improved it massively and it’s become a strength of my game. I think a lot of it comes down to experience.”
Haaland concurred with his manager, Enzo Maresca, that he may need a break soon. “It’s not easy to get any rest in this business,” the 26-year-old said.
“Like during the international break, we play four games in 10 or 11 days, so it’s not easy. But you have to try to squeeze in a few days here and there and give your mind a bit of a break.”
