Following Erling Haaland’s underwhelming performance in Manchester City’s 3-3 draw against Real Madrid at the Bernabeu, former Tottenham and Real Madrid midfielder Rafael van der Vaart didn’t hold back his criticism of the Norwegian striker.
In the first leg of the Champions League quarterfinal, Haaland’s display was described as “extremely terrible.” He struggled against the physicality of Antonio Rudiger, failed to make a significant impact on the game, and managed just 20 touches, with only one shot on goal, no successful dribbles, and seven possession losses.
The disappointment of the 23-year-old’s performance was palpable, and Van der Vaart, who had an illustrious career with 171 goals in 538 games, didn’t mince his words.
Speaking on Ziggo Sport, the Dutchman lambasted Haaland, stating, “Erling Haaland was extremely awful. He is really worthless if he doesn’t score. He is, in my opinion, a pretty mediocre ball player.”
Despite Haaland’s struggles, the match between City and Real Madrid was an exhilarating six-goal spectacle.
City took an early lead through Bernardo Silva’s goal in the first two minutes, but Real Madrid responded with a goal from Ruben Dias to equalize before Rodrygo’s header gave them the lead.
The encounter showcased the thrilling nature of Champions League football, with both teams trading blows and providing fans with an enthralling spectacle.
City’s ability to create scoring opportunities and their resilience in responding to Real Madrid’s attacks demonstrated the quality of both sides.
While Haaland’s performance may have been disappointing, the match itself was a testament to the excitement and drama that the Champions League quarterfinals often deliver.
As the tie hangs in the balance heading into the second leg, both teams will be eager to secure a favorable result and advance to the next stage of the competition.
