ERLING HAALAND claimed that he was “not thinking” as he produced his incredible record-setting goal glut against RB Leipzig.
The Norwegian fired Manchester City into the Champions League last eight by netting FIVE times in just 35 minutes to take his incredible season tally to 39 goals in 35 games.
That total broke City’s all-time record set by Tommy Johnson 94-YEARS ago, and it’s still only March.
Hotshot Haaland hit a first-half hat-trick, his FIFTH treble of the campaign, while Ilkay Gundogan and Kevin De Bruyne also struck as City thrashed RB Leipzig 7-0.
He now has an astonishing nine goals in the Champions League and became the fastest player to score 30 goals in the competition.
Haaland smashed Ruud van Nistelrooy’s existing record of 34 games by achieving the scoring feat in a ridiculous 25 matches.
READ MORE ON SPORT
But what makes is feat on Tuesday even more remarkable is that he only touched the ball 30 times throughout his 63 minutes on the pitch – meaning that he scored with every SIXTH touch.
Haaland told BT Sport afterwards: “It’s a big night. First of all I’m really proud to play Champions League and I love this competition. Five goals to win 7-0 at home, I’m so happy.
“I’m a bit blurry so I don’t remember the goals. I was just shooting, not thinking.
“I’m so tired after the celebrations. We worked on the pressing. In every game we have to put them under pressure and run because we are so good with Kevin running forward when we can get the ball.
Most read in Football
HOW TO GET FREE BETS ON THE CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL
“It was part of the plan and we should do this more.”
He continued: “My super strength? After scoring five goals I have to say scoring goals.
“A lot of goals I didn’t think, I was just doing. A lot of it is just being quick in the mind and putting it where the keeper is not. A little bit is quality but a lot is in the head.”
And on being subbed despite a double hat-trick potentially being on offer, Haaland joked: “I told [Pep Guardiola] when I went off I would love to score a double hat-trick but what could I do? I had to come off.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
