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Article continues belowArticle continues belowArticle continues below<ul><li>Haaland had a bad day at the office</li><li>Henry offered up constructive criticism </li><li>L'Equipe rated him 3/10 for the night</li></ul><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script>

Thierry Henry highlights biggest flaw in Erling Haaland's game after Man City striker is named 'flop of the match' by L'Equipe for dismal showing against Real Madrid

Champions League

Bayern Munich

Real Madrid

Premier League

Manchester City

Wolverhampton

Manchester City faced off against Real Madrid in a thrilling encounter in the Champions League, culminating <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/man-city-player-ratings-vs-real-madrid-erling-haaland-phil-foden/blt64ade4729c8c8f31" target="_blank">in a sensational 3-3 draw on Tuesday evening</a> at the Santiago Bernabeu that left football fans on the edge of their seats. The quarter-final first leg fixture kicked off with Bernardo Silva putting Manchester City ahead with an early goal just two minutes into the game. However, Real Madrid quickly turned the tide with a rapid-fire double, courtesy of a Ruben Dias own goal and a strike from Rodrygo, flipping the scoreline in their favour to lead 2-1 by the 14th minute.The second half of the game escalated the excitement, resembling a highlight reel of Puskas Award-worthy goals. Phil Foden, Josko Gvardiol, and Federico Valverde all found the back of the net with spectacular efforts, resulting in a pulsating 3-3 draw when the final whistle blew.

WHAT HAPPENED?

Despite the electrifying display of talent on the field, <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/phil-foden-ballon-dor-winner-erling-haaland-winners-losers-antonio-rudiger-man-city-real-madrid-champions-league-classic/blt6e8e3e70b7a9e524" target="_blank">one notable absence was Haaland's impact on the game</a>. The Norwegian striker, known for his prolific goal-scoring ability, found himself stifled by the relentless defence of Real Madrid, particularly by the efforts of Antonio Rudiger.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Legendary striker Thierry Henry, in his analysis of the match for CBS Sports, pinpointed a crucial flaw in Haaland's game and spoke on the striker's tendency to engage in physical battles with defenders, hindering his ability to create space and dictate play effectively."I always say that I've seen strikers not scoring but playing really well for the team away from home and doing exactly what you need to for your team away from home, or even at home," Henry said."But more often than not you judge a striker for his goals - fair enough, we already know that. People can get better and I believe in that. But there is one thing that he doesn't do ever so well, and he's always shoulder to shoulder with the defender, so you can go like this, and get your foot around."But if you are like this [square on, hand on defender's shoulder] there is no way you can get that ball now. I've created a distance, you can't get the ball. Even at three-quarters, you can protect the ball. Afterwards, it's all about your quality, but you can't let the defender get their leg around you, or get an arm around you, you have to grab it first then dictate."

WHAT THIERRY HENRY SAID

L'Equipe, the renowned French sports daily, further compounded Haaland's woes by <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-in/lists/quite-useless-erling-haaland-savaged-by-ex-real-madrid-star-after-no-show-for-man-city-champions-league/blte3adff66a2de8fc8" target="_blank">naming him the "Flop of the Match" </a>and awarding him a dismal rating of 3/10 for his performance against Real Madrid. The publication criticised Haaland for his inability to integrate seamlessly into Manchester City's gameplay and called into question his progress in connecting with the team's tactics and strategies.

DID YOU KNOW?

Despite the setback, Haaland remains a pivotal figure for Manchester City, with his goal-scoring prowess often proving decisive in critical moments. As Pep Guardiola's star striker, Haaland will undoubtedly use this experience as motivation to refine his game and silence his critics in future encounters - potentially in the decisive second leg at the Etihad in a week.

WHAT NEXT FOR HAALAND?

Thierry Henry highlights biggest flaw in Erling Haaland's game after Man City striker is named 'flop of the match' by L'Equipe for dismal showing against Real Madrid | Goal.com

Thierry Henry highlighted Erling Haaland&apos;s biggest flaw after he was adjudged &apos;flop of the match&apos; by L&apos;Equipe after a poor show against Real Madrid.

Thierry Henry highlights biggest flaw in Erling Haaland&apos;s game after Man City striker is named &apos;flop of the match&apos; by L&apos;Equipe for dismal showing against Real Madrid

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