... and secret’s out on how to stop Haaland
THOMAS FRANK offered the blueprint to stopping Erling Haaland after Brentford shocked Manchester City yesterday.
Ivan Toney scored twice, including a 98th-minute winner, but manager Frank lavished praise on his back three for reducing 18-goal Haaland to just one shot at the Etihad Stadium.
Frank believes the secret was not focusing on the Norway international, but stopping the supply into him from midfield.
‘I really hoped they played Haaland because it’s only a really big win if you beat them with Haaland in the line-up,’ the Bees boss said.
‘We had a gameplan and it definitely succeeded. We tried to be aware of closing down [Kevin] De Bruyne and he had very few balls in dangerous areas of the pitch.
‘We were very aware of Haaland in the box and I think we only missed him once when he ran past Ben Mee — the whole team did fantastic but especially the three centre-backs. Our performance was very impressive.’
Frank labelled the three points — City’s
first home defeat in all competitions since losing to Tottenham in February — as the biggest in Brentford’s history.
‘Maybe this is the single best result in the club’s history,’ Frank added. ‘It’s massive. For the fans, I’m so happy we’ve created another unbelievably magic moment for them. They had the
ball more, more shots, but it [victory] was deserved. We are the bus stop in Hounslow against the best team in the world.
‘I know they dominated us. But you sensed there was an opportunity. I’m so thrilled and pleased that we managed to do it.’