Thierry Henry has now analysed the one major flaw Erling Haaland has in his game.
Much like any player in the world, Haaland has his weaknesses.
As per Sofascore, the 23-year-old just had 20 touches of the ball in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-final.
While how many goals the Norwegian striker scores remains key, it is safe to say that he was rather anonymous against the Spanish giants.
Apart from one half-chance, the supply line to the Manchester City goalscorer was nonexistent as well.
Unsurprisingly, the City number nine will be slated for his display on Tuesday night.
Now, Thierry Henry has a word of advice for the treble-winner.
Thierry Henry spots one big Erling Haaland flaw
Considering Haaland is only human, one would not be surprised if he perhaps gets upset due to being under constant scrutiny.
But when a legendary striker of Henry’s calibre has tips to give the former Borussia Dortmund phenom, one doubts he would not welcome the suggestions.
After all, for any number nine in world football, listening to Thierry Henry will only help them to improve their game.
Alongside Ronaldo Nazario, Marco van Basten and Romario, the Frenchman is considered the most well-rounded striker the game has ever seen.
Whether it be at Arsenal or even at Barcelona, Henry was able to adapt his game as both a striker and a winger; which goes to show how technically gifted and intelligent he was.
After Manchester City drew 3-3 against Real Madrid, Thierry Henry explained why Erling Haaland was not the best in terms of his back-to-goal play when analysing his battle with Antonio Rudiger.
“People can get better. I believe in that, in you working. But there’s one thing he doesn’t do ever so well. He’s always shoulder to shoulder with the defender. So, you can always put your foot [forward and win the ball]”, he said on CBS Sports.
Thierry Henry continued to break down how Erling Haaland could better this part of his game.
“But if you go like this [put your arm on the defender’s chest], there’s no way you can get that ball here now. There’s no way. I create that distance. So, he’s a left-footer, okay, I create a distance.”
“You can’t come like this on someone [stand with your back to the defender] and not expect he’s not going to put his leg inside or on the outside. Go for a quarter and you can hold that ball. After, it’s you and your quality and what you can do but you cannot let a defender put his leg here or his leg here and put his arm around you.”
“You grab him first. Then you dictate.”
Erling Haaland must take this advice into consideration
As Thierry Henry explained, Erling Haaland was rather one-note in his approach when trying to win duels up against Antonio Rudiger.
Battling against Rudiger is an immensely difficult task, as he is extremely aggressive, strong and proactive.
However, Haaland constantly tried to go shoulder to shoulder with the German, giving him the easy task of nicking the ball off him instead of perhaps standing side-on and using his superhuman physicality to dominate him.
If the Leeds-born striker listens to and executes Henry’s advice, there are not many centre-halves who will be able to deal with him when he has his back towards them.