Erling Haaland made a swift comeback to the pitch after being included in Manchester City’s starting lineup against Brentford at the Etihad on Saturday.
This decision came despite manager Pep Guardiola’s offer of compassionate leave due to Haaland’s recent personal loss.
A Tough Time for Haaland
Guardiola had given Haaland the option to take time off following the death of Ivar Eggja, a family friend whom Haaland referred to as his ‘uncle.’
Despite this, Haaland chose to play, aiming for a third consecutive hat-trick after his impressive performances against Ipswich and West Ham, where he scored six goals in total.
A Dramatic Start
The match kicked off with a shock as Brentford’s Yoane Wissa scored within just 22 seconds.
However, Haaland quickly responded, leveling the score in the 19th minute with a precise finish after a pass from Kevin De Bruyne.
Haaland Takes the Lead
Before halftime, Haaland gave City the lead with another brilliant finish, capitalizing on a long ball over the top.
His performance showed his resilience and focus despite the emotional challenges he was facing.
Guardiola’s Support
Before the match, Guardiola acknowledged the difficult time Haaland and his family were going through.
He mentioned, “It’s a tough time for him and his family.
Our thoughts are with them, and we’ll see tomorrow if he’s able physically and mentally to play.”
Haaland’s Tribute
On Thursday, Haaland paid a heartfelt tribute to Eggja on Instagram, sharing photos and a message that read: “You are a legend, Ivar.
Words cannot describe how much you meant to me! Words cannot describe how much you will be missed!
I don’t give a s***! I don’t give a s***! That’s exactly what I’m going to do.
Thank you for everything, you madman. We will see each other again. Rest in peace, Ivar.”
Balancing Family and Football
Though Haaland trained with his City teammates on Thursday, Guardiola emphasized that family should come first.
He made it clear that Haaland would have been allowed to miss the game if he needed to.