ERLING HAALAND gave the Champions League ball a once over in Manchester City training ahead of Wednesday’s clash with RB Leipzig.
City travel to Germany to take on the Bundesliga side, with the second leg scheduled for March 14 back at the Etihad.
Pep Guardiola and Co haven’t played in the competition since November 2 and, ahead of their return, Haaland took a good long look at the new Champions League ball.
The 22-year-old goal machine was spotted in City training nonchalantly flicking up a ball before spending some time checking out the new design.
He moved it around in his hands before walking over to a member of City’s staff and appearing to show it to them.
After a brief chat he dropped the ball back to the ground and got a feel for it with his feet.
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It’s unclear what exactly caught Haaland’s eye, but football fans on social media are certainly fans of the new design.
Many took to Twitter to heap praise on Adidas for the ball, which will be used in this year’s Champions League final, as well as the knockout rounds.
One wrote approvingly: “That’s a piece of art for real.”
And another said: “Now that’s magical.”
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Haaland himself will be looking to conjure up some magic with the new ball.
He scored five goals in four games in the Champions League group stages, and will be eager to continue that form in the knockouts.
Despite their recent success, the Champions League continues to elude City.
But with Haaland leading the line, City are well fancied to end their European curse this season.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
