UCL: Why I Subbed Off Haaland Before He Could Break Messi’s Record – Guardiola

Manchester City manager, Pep Guardiola has explained why he took off Erling Haaland after he scored five times against RB Leipzig on Tuesday night.

The 22-year-old was in a killer mood in front of goal as City hammered the Bundesliga side 7-0 in the Champions League last-16 second leg.

By the end of the first half, Haaland had completed his hat-trick at the Etihad.

Haaland scored twice after the break and was eyeing a double hat-trick, which would have broken a record long held by Lionel Messi, before Guardiola took him off.

“I told [Guardiola] I would love to score a double hat trick, but what can I do?,” Haaland said on being substituted, before he could become the first player to ever score six goals in a single Champions League game.

After the match Guardiola gave his reasons for taking off the Norwegian when he did, saying:

“If he achieves this milestone at 22, his life would be boring. He has something to aim for.”