Manchester City need to get more out of their biggest attacking weapon | OneFootball

Watching Manchester City get held to a nil-all draw by Southampton was a frustrating experience. Pep Guardiola’s side were poor in the first half, and they didn’t do enough to unlock the Saints’ defence in the opening 45 minutes. They lifted their intensity in the second half, but in truth, they got what they deserved from the St. Mary’s Stadium. But looking at how Manchester City played and the positions Erling Haaland took up, you do sense that City have to get more out of their biggest weapon in the final third.

Erling Haaland lived at the back post for the majority of Saturday’s match.

Southampton basically put 10 players in their penalty area for the majority of Saturday’s match. They were determined to at least get a point at the St. Mary’s Stadium. It was up to Manchester City to break them down. In the end, Southampton’s packed defence frustrated Pep Guardiola’s side, and Southampton picked up a point for their efforts. But looking at where Erling Haaland was positioned for the majority of Saturday’s match. He spent the majority of the game living at the back post. That took him out of Saturday’s match.

Whether or not Haaland’s positioning was caused by Southampton’s tactics, is irrelevant. We have seen Haaland take up a spot at the back post with regularity this season. But on Saturday, it did appear that this occurred too often. There was no variety to Haaland’s movement. From the majority of City’s corners throughout the game Haaland was at the back post. The same could be said for his positioning throughout the game. That didn’t have the desired effect. He couldn’t get space through the middle, which was Southampton’s goal. Haaland is also rusty after missing over a month of football.

But looking ahead, there needs to be a bigger variety of runs from City’s top scorer. Whether that’s to the front post, through the middle or by him dropping deep into midfield. That way, Manchester City can get more out of their biggest attacking weapon.

Manchester City need every player to help create chances for Erling Haaland.

Speaking after his team’s disappointing draw with Southampton, Pep Guardiola said any Manchester City can create chances for Haaland. He explained: “Erling needs people to deliver balls to him, it doesn’t matter whether it comes from wingers, full-backs or attacking midfielders. All guys can do those balls.”

Pep Guardiola’s statement is correct. There is enough quality in the Manchester City squad to create chances for Haaland. But if there is more variety to Haaland’s movement and positioning, that will help the cause. I expect Haaland to start the FA Cup final against Crystal Palace, and I’m hopeful that after getting through Saturday’s match he will be a lot sharper in his performance and movement. That should help him take up better positions and make City a more dangerous proposition.