Striker Erling Haaland shared with the Telegraph about his dream of successfully defending the “treble” this season, about his great motivation since childhood, about the “liberation” every time he scores a goal and about becoming a “treble”. zombies” in matches.

Be a “zombie” on the field

In the eyes of compatriot Martin Odegaard, Haaland is a “monster”, Jurgen Klopp called him a “force of nature” and according to Pep Guardiola, the Norwegian striker is “unstoppable”.

However, when asked to describe himself, Haaland laughed and said: “A zombie! During matches, I am often criticized by people for not touching the ball. I can rush and touch the ball.” a few times, but I was just walking around, standing there, going through the motions in my own world and not kind of… well, it’s hard to explain.

I left my body and became a zombie. It’s like I’m looking around, waiting for an opportunity. And when the opportunity came, I knew I had to be ready. I still participated in the match but walked around scanning for information. I’m waiting for the opportunity and imagining if the ball goes here, goes there, what could happen. It’s a feeling. When the team is playing the ball from the back, I know I don’t have to get involved. I stood there, waiting for the right moment to rush forward.”

Haaland has an amazing ability to almost disappear on the field, as he puts it, “escape” before suddenly appearing, then dealing with it decisively and brutally. This is even more surprising because Haaland is not small. Instead, he is easily identifiable with his tall body and unmistakable long hair. While chatting, Haaland moved his body on the chair, and his head turned from side to side.

Haaland then gave clear examples, including the double goals scored against Burnley in Man City’s opening match in the 2023/24 Premier League. The former Dortmund star said: “It was like a slow motion movie. I almost knew I was going to score after Rodri’s header. I had a feeling the ball would get there and the finish was perfect. That was the version.” The first goal against Burnley was just that. I felt the ball was about to go there, I ran there and kicked it.

On the second goal, I thought the ball could go there. But I try not to think too much. I try to follow the feeling. I’m not talking about stroking my tail, but I try to make movements to eliminate the defender. Now it’s more difficult because I’m always accompanied by two players. But I move to create the distance I need to shoot and score. This season, I feel they are doing more to stop me, assigning more people to mark me. It’s a bigger challenge but I don’t mind. If they add someone to mark me, my teammates will benefit with more space. I just try to do my job and keep doing what I did last season.”

The dream of re-establishing the “treble”

Last season, Haaland’s outstanding goal-scoring ability with 52 goals in all competitions helped Man City win the great “treble”. Talking about his ambitions this season after completing the title set so quickly, Haaland confided: “My biggest dream now is to once again win the ‘treble’. It’s as simple as that. Just like when I scored a goal, I like this feeling. I want to do it again! It’s the same with winning the Champions League. I won it but I really want to do it again. That in itself is a motivation to win everything. I crave it more than ever.

Referring to desire, Haaland shared that he has had a desire since childhood. Haaland’s great motivation is to become a better player than his father, Alfie Haaland, who once played for Man City. The 23-year-old striker continued: “When I was little, I watched my dad play football in the Premier League, and I wanted to be like that too. This was always in my mind. I wanted to be better than my dad and continue to strive.” It’s good to find motivation in everything. He’s my dad but in some ways, he’s like my older brother. We talk and have a really good relationship. We are also good friends and that is very important.”

The “liberation” when scoring

As a top goalscorer, Haaland clearly understands the pressure on his shoulders in one match, every season. Referring to this, he confided: “When we won the Premier League, it was a relief because we had been under pressure all season from Arsenal. Man City had won the championship twice in a row and if I had come to the club that If they don’t win the championship, everything will be like ‘What the hell are you doing? We’ve won the championship before and now you’re coming and you’re not winning the championship’. So, winning the Premier League is a relief.” .

Although he is hungry to score, Haaland is also very happy every time he assists his teammates to score: “I also like that because I see the joy in my eyes.”