Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca has backed Erling Haaland to continue finding the net, saying the striker only needs the team to provide him with enough opportunities.
Maresca made the comments after Haaland scored twice in Manchester City’s emphatic 4-1 victory over Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Friday.
Haaland opened the scoring in the 17th minute with a header from an Antoine Semenyo cross before completing his brace late in the match with a left-footed finish. Rayan Cherki also scored twice as City secured their second consecutive Premier League victory under Maresca.
The Norwegian striker had failed to score in City’s opening-day victory over Bournemouth, but Maresca said he never doubted Haaland’s ability to return to the scoresheet.
“We need just to create chances for him,” Maresca said.
“If we are good enough to create chances for him, we know he’s going to score goals like always he has done.”
Maresca noted that Haaland had chances in the opening game but was unable to convert them. Against Palace, however, the striker was much more clinical and could potentially have scored even more.
“He had a couple of chances against Bournemouth but unfortunately he missed. Tonight he scored twice and could have had one or two more,” the City boss said.
The victory was an encouraging result for Maresca as he continues to build his Manchester City side following his appointment as the club’s new manager.
City now have six points from their opening two league matches, with Haaland and Cherki both making significant contributions to the team’s strong start.
Maresca also praised the overall intensity and discipline of his players, saying their performance both on and off the ball was particularly impressive.
“I think the performance overall was good,” he said, adding that City’s combination of quality, desire and intensity could help the team achieve important goals this season.
For Haaland, the brace was a timely reminder of his goalscoring threat and a strong response after his quiet opening-day display. With City continuing to create chances under Maresca, the manager will be hoping his prolific striker can maintain his scoring form throughout the campaign.
