Manchester City once again threw away a crucial win in Europe as they were held to a frustrating 2-2 draw against Monaco in the Champions League. Pep Guardiola’s side twice let their lead slip, conceding a stoppage-time penalty that denied them three points and left Erling Haaland fuming.
The Norwegian striker, who scored both of City’s goals, did not hold back in his post-match interviews, delivering a blunt and expletive-laden verdict. Speaking to BBC’s Match of the Day, Haaland admitted: “I’m p**** off, I think everyone should be. It’s not good enough.”* He doubled down when asked about personal achievements: “Wanting more touches? I don’t care. I’m just doing my job. Right now I’m pissed off.”
Haaland echoed his frustrations to TNT Sports, stressing that City only had themselves to blame: “Of course I don’t feel good we didn’t win. We do something unnecessarily in the second half. We didn’t play good enough and don’t deserve to win. We need more energy, more control. In the first half we dominated, but in the second they took over.”
The result continues an alarming pattern for Guardiola’s champions, who have now dropped points in three different games due to late goals. Arsenal punished them with a 93rd-minute equaliser at the Emirates, Brighton snatched victory in the 89th minute, and now Monaco have joined the list with their stoppage-time penalty.
City’s stuttering start to the season – with two defeats and a draw in their opening six Premier League matches – has left supporters concerned about whether the squad still has the same hunger that carried them to domestic and European glory last year. While Haaland continues to deliver goals, his words underline the deeper problem: Manchester City are not showing the ruthlessness required to kill off matches.
The reigning European champions will need a rapid response, with a tricky Premier League clash against Brentford up next. For Guardiola, the challenge will be to restore focus, tighten up defensively, and prove that City’s European slip-ups are a blip rather than the beginning of a decline.
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