With a precise through ball on a swift counterattack, the Belgian midfielder, who entered the match as a substitute for Manchester City against Everton in the 57th minute, provided Erling Haaland with an opportunity to score his second goal of the game.
Erling Haaland had been relatively quiet throughout the match until Kevin De Bruyne found him with ample space, igniting his performance once again. Capitalizing on the opportunity, Haaland evaded Jarrad Branthwaite and slotted the ball past Jordan Pickford to secure victory for his team.
According to Erling Haaland, Kevin De Bruyne is an “ideal” passer. However, due to the midfielder’s prolonged absence from action owing to a hamstring injury, the dynamic duo has only started three games together this season, much to the disappointment of Pep Guardiola.
One of those encounters was Manchester City’s season-opening 3-0 win against Burnley, where De Bruyne was substituted off due to injury concerns. Consequently, their on-field partnership has been limited to just over 200 minutes of playing time this year.
Nevertheless, in Manchester City’s 2-0 triumph over Everton, Erling Haaland lauded Kevin De Bruyne’s passing ability and understanding of his movements as he assisted him once again.
“With everyone, I try to make similar runs, but with him, it feels like I know the pass will be perfect,” Haaland remarked, expressing his confidence in De Bruyne’s delivery, as reported by Manchester City’s official website.
“I’m focused on making runs towards the goal, trusting that the ball will find me,” he added, emphasizing the advantage of knowing that De Bruyne’s pass will reach him.
Haaland also revealed that after observing Kevin De Bruyne for years, he has developed an understanding of where the midfielder will distribute the ball, making their partnership more intuitive.
“Having watched him play for several years, I’ve learned where he likes to play the ball, and his style hasn’t changed much over the years,” Haaland explained, highlighting the importance of executing his tasks efficiently.
For any striker, playing alongside a creator like Kevin De Bruyne is a dream come true. De Bruyne’s exceptional ability to read a striker’s movement has facilitated Haaland’s adaptation at Manchester City.
Moreover, De Bruyne’s remarkable vision allows him to find Julian Alvarez in space effortlessly, showcasing his versatility as a playmaker.
Erling Haaland expressed his comfort with De Bruyne’s precision and delivery, expressing his anticipation of more scoring opportunities in the future. As expected, Haaland found the back of the net against Everton, marking his 16th Premier League goal of the season.