The benefit of these runs is two-fold.
The first is, if tracked, this run pulls opposition midfielders deeper, opening up space inside for the wingers to cut inside into.
A common method of chance creation is a deep in-swinging cross to the back post.
Back-post runs are one of Haaland’s three most common methods of scoring, alongside through balls on the left, and cut-backs in front of a retreating defence – so conceding these crosses is less than ideal.
Marc Guehi, if he does start, may remember that in 2024 while playing against Manchester City for Crystal Palace, Matheus Nunes played a similar cross to the ones described, before Haaland, peeling off the back of the England defender, headed home.
On an individual level, Guehi and Palace back then would have benefited from crowding Haaland out – one of the few ways teams have muted his influence.
In a 1-1 draw against West Ham last season, former Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola said: “Do you know how many central defenders were around [Haaland] today? 200 million. Do you know how many holding midfielders? It is the most difficult position on the planet.”
On that day, West Ham used three central defenders and a holding midfielder close to the Norwegian – often man-marking him.
