Manchester City feel Erling Haaland can cap a sensational debut season at the club by playing a key role in the Champions League final, his captain Ilkay Gundogan says.
Haaland has 52 goals and nine assists in 52 appearances for City, setting numerous records along the way, and already has two trophies to his name. If he can help City beat Inter Milan on Saturday, he will add the Champions League to his growing collection.
However, Haaland's incredible scoring rate has slowed of late, scoring just one in his last seven appearances, so he will be hoping to end the season with a bang in Istanbul vs Inter Milan.
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Backing his striker, Gundogan explained how Haaland has transformed the way City play this season, and predicted one last headline-making performance in the Champions League final.
"Right now, he might be the best striker in the world. He brings so much to our team," Gundogan told UEFA.
"He gives us a different quality, with his physical strength, with his mentality, with his speed and with his goals too, of course. The last couple of years, we didn't have a classic No.9 in the team. Therefore we needed to play a bit more flexibly, a bit differently.
"Now we know that we have someone in the box who can control the ball, including high aerial balls. He is very good with his head and can win battles against tall, strong centre-backs. This adds a whole new dimension to our game. It gives us a new dynamic. And in addition, he brings a great mentality and character. He has helped us a lot already. Let's hope he can also help us in the final."
Gundogan also sent a warning regarding opponents Inter Milan, telling his City teammates that the Italians should not be underestimated one bit.
"Inter didn't get to the final for nothing," he insisted. "They have great qualities even though it wasn't enough for them to win their league this year. But they just won the national cup [Coppa Italia]. They are a team that knows how to win trophies.
"They are very aggressive in their way of playing. Maybe they are more focused on the defensive side but they also have amazing qualities going forward. They are a very stable team.
"They usually don't concede too many goals, so it won't be easy. We know they will probably be happy to let us have the ball, and it will be up to us to make the most of that. We will need to watch out for counterattacks. We have to be wide awake. Especially in a final, anything can happen. So we have to be fully focused."
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