The Football Analyst In the realm of football brilliance, few names shine as brightly as Erling Haaland’s. The Norwegian striker has rapidly become one of the best players in world football, scoring 36 goals in the 2022/23 Premier League season. This individual analysis delves deep into the multifaceted skill set of the prolific striker, uncovering the nuances that make him one of the most formidable forces in the beautiful game. From clinical finishing to dynamic movement, Haaland’s prowess on the field is dissected to provide an in-depth understanding of what sets him apart. Join us through the attributes and techniques essential to any striker in this Erling Haaland analysis.
Playing off the Blindside
Haaland always tries to play off the blindside of his defender. This means positioning yourself behind the defender, not allowing him to see both you and the ball.
Playing off the blindside allows Haaland to be one step ahead of the defender. The defender sees the run much later, which gives the attacker a head start when making the run. If the center-back has the attacker and the ball in his vision, he can track every run the attacker takes because he can see it from the beginning. Being on the blindside forces the defender to look both behind himself and in front of him, naturally giving him less information about the position of the attacker and the position of the ball. When the defender looks at the ball, the attacker can make the run and get a massive head start.
Playing off the blindside also allows you to go both ways. Standing in front of the defender makes it very difficult to take any other run than the one in front of the defender. If the defender can see both what run you will take and when you take it, it is incredibly easy to defend. Being positioned on the blindside instead enables the run in front of the defender and the one behind the defender, allowing you to attack whatever space is open. Haaland, therefore, always stays on the blindside of the defender, making it more difficult for them to see where he will go.
The Double Movement
Haaland has perfected the double movement and often uses it to create space for himself in the box. The double movement means moving back and forth to confuse the defender and make it difficult to determine which way you are actually going. This movement begins with the attacking player operating from the blind side. Small and quick movements in one direction force the defender to follow the movements. When this happens, Haaland changes direction, which makes the defender move in the same direction. The defender can not see both the attacker and the ball at the same time, which means that one last change of direction will leave the attacker unopposed to attack the space that the defender has left open.
Movement Inside the Box
Erling Haaland places a lot of weight on attacking the ball with pace in the box, thus beating the defenders in the duels. In aerial duels, running with speed before jumping into the duel is extremely important in the furtherance of winning it. Haaland, therefore, always gives himself space to run onto the ball. In this situation, he drops back from the open space before the cross comes in. When the cross comes, he runs at high speed into the free space, allowing him to jump higher than the defenders, win the duel, and head the ball at goal.
Haaland scores most of his goals from crosses where he runs at the back post. As established, staying on the blindside of defenders makes it difficult for them to know exactly where you are while you know exactly where they are. Haaland, therefore, often positions himself at the back post in crossing situations to have complete control of his defender. The back post is where the space is, and the center-back’s lack of vision often makes it uncontested. In addition, the player defending that area is usually the fullback, who presumably will be a weaker aerial defender than the center-backs.
Physicality & Speed
Despite his size, Erling Haaland is incredibly rapid. His speed offers a lot to any team he plays in due to the constant threat of runs in behind the opposition backline. If the backline is high, Haaland runs in behind and gets the pass, creating a 1v1 against the goalkeeper. This often forces the opposition to lower their backline, creating more space between them and the midfield, thus creating more space for Haaland’s teammates to operate between the lines.
Haaland is also extremely strong and rarely loses his 1v1 duels. He will bully defenders like no one else, which causes defenders to stay away from 1v1 duels against him. Teams, therefore, often put two center-backs on him, creating a numerical advantage. This, however, leaves fewer players to defend other areas of the pitch, giving Man City numerical advantages in these areas. His strength also helps him win aerial duels, which has become one of his greatest assets, giving Man City huge threats from crosses. Here, Haaland wins his 1v1 duel against a strong defender and scores a seemingly simple goal.
Haaland also has incredible finishing, meaning he converts the chances that he gets. He can score goals in every way and has been lethal with both feet, inside and outside the box. During the 2023/24 Premier League season, Haaland had a goals-per-game ratio of 1.17(via Footystats.org), thereby scoring more than one goal per game. This effectiveness is one of the greatest assets in his arsenal, and it has saved Man City in many games during his time at the club.
Link-up Play
Haaland is essential for Man City’s build-up and is often used as the third man, connecting passes from the backline to the midfield. The center-backs will break the opposition lines with passes up to Haaland, who gives it back to forward-facing midfielders, who can take the ball and attack the backline. Haaland’s strength and technique make him a great link-up player in Manchester City’s system.
Conclusion
In concluding our analysis of Erling Haaland’s brilliance, it becomes abundantly clear that he stands as a football marvel, transcending the boundaries of a conventional striker. His combination of physical prowess, clinical finishing, and relentless work ethic sets him apart as a true game-changer on the pitch. Haaland’s ability to seamlessly adapt to various tactical setups, coupled with his exceptional decision-making, marks him not only as a scorer of extraordinary goals but also as a strategic asset for any team.
As we navigate through the intricacies of Haaland’s playing style, it’s evident that his impact extends beyond the scoresheet. The awareness to exploit spaces, the agility to outmaneuver defenders, and the composure in high-pressure situations showcase a player destined for greatness.
As the football world continues to witness the ascent of Erling Haaland, this individual analysis serves as a testament to his unique skill set and the promise of a future adorned with spectacular moments from this exceptional striker.
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