Erling Haaland claimed Pablo Rosario 'grabbed his bottom' as the two wrestled during Manchester City's fiery Champions League clash with Porto. The Norwegian striker scored both goals in a 2-0 victory at the Estadio do Dragao, a match that was bad-tempered throughout.
Haaland's hat-trick ambition and the clash
Haaland and Rosario were both cautioned for a clash on the pitch, and there was also a confrontation between players and staff in the tunnel at half-time. Opening up on his tussle with Rosario, Haaland claimed the defender ended up grabbing his bottom during an interview with Norwegian television.
“I was really keen on a hat-trick and it seemed like he [Rosario] was very eager to stop me from getting it. It was a little interesting, that. You’ll be seeing a picture where he’s grabbing my bottom... it’ll be interesting to see that picture,” he said.
Brace puts Haaland level with Aguero
Haaland's brace means he is now City's joint all-time top scorer in the Champions League with Sergio Aguero on 36 goals. He admitted that Rosario and his Porto team-mates gave Enzo Maresca's side a real game.
The Porto goalkeeper, Diogo Costa, had kept the Portuguese giants in the game with a string of fine saves in the first half before Haaland struck. The 26-year-old broke the deadlock just two minutes after the restart before killing off any chance of the hosts snatching a share of the spoils with a 91st minute clincher.
Haaland praises Porto and reflects on the win
“It was a difficult fight, man against man. They are a top team. Honestly, they are impressive,” he told Amazon Prime post-match.
“I think honestly we controlled the first half. A bit uncomfortable when they came a bit high, but we created a lot of chances. I could easily have had a lot more goals, but second half we scored, and they pushed us for a good 25 minutes, but again we managed to hold through and then finish the game.
“I think these are the games that we have to win, and we have had a great start to the season. In the Champions League you have to win games because, if not, you suddenly get all the pressure, and then you never know what's going to happen.”
