Haaland PINCHES opponents to put them off during games, reveals Mee
Erling Haaland PINCHES his opponent in an attempt to put them off during games, reveals Ben Mee as he exposes some of Man City striker’s dark arts – but Brentford defender insists he ‘quite likes that’ about the Norwegian
- Ben Mee has opened up on what it is like to face Man City star Erling Haaland
- Brentford got the better of City in November, beating them 2-1 at the Etihad
- And Mee claims Haaland has a trick up his sleeve in trying to put off defenders
Brentford defender Ben Mee has revealed an unusual tactic Erling Haaland employs that sees him ‘pinching’ opposition defenders to get the better of them.
The Man City striker has already equaled the record for Premier League goals with 32 in just 28 appearances, with the Cityzens firmly in the title fight as the season approaches its closing stages.
While many have attributed his success to speed, strength and goal scoring instincts, Mee has not put it down to something sneakier.
‘He is a powerful lad and we have had a little bit of a jostle,’ the Brentford defender said on Sky Sports, ‘there were little pinches here ant there between me and him.’
When asked by Jamie Carragher whether Haaland or Mee were doing more of the pinching, the defender replied: ‘More from him to be fair. But I don’t mind that, I quite like that.’
Erling Haaland recently equaled the record for the most Premier League goals in a 38 game season after just 28 appearances
Ben Mee has revealed a left-field tactic employed by the Norweigan striker, but it had little effect in Brentford’s 2-1 win at the Etihad in November
‘Obviously we are trying to be physical with him and use our body in and around the box to stop him from getting into any positions he wants to.’
The unconventional ploy failed to have much of an impact when the Norwegian came up against Mee’s Brentford in November, as he went goalless in a 2-1 loss at the Etihad and picked up a first half booking.
Haaland may have another chance against the defender, who started his career at City, when the two sides meet in West London on the last day of the season.
Arsenal’s recent slip-ups mean Guardiola’s men are now just four points behind them in the league with a game in hand, while they also look well set in the Champions League with a 3-0 first-leg lead over Bayern Munich in their quarter final and have made the semis of the FA Cup.
City do still have to face the league leaders next week, a game Guardiola felt would define the title race.
‘It is a final to play more finals because if you lose this game, it will be almost over,’ He said. ‘Hopefully we can arrive having the chance to be there.
The 33-year-old centre back, who began his career at City, claims the striker ‘pinches’ opposition defenders to put them off
City now sit just four points behind league leaders Arsenal with a game in and could win the treble
‘It is win, win and win. [Arsenal] have done an incredible run and I don’t think they are going to drop many points so it is important to be in there.’
City will next be in action in the second leg of their Champions League tie against Bayern on Wednesday.
For Brentford, hopes of a European spot have died down after a five-game winless run, but Thomas Frank’s side remain ninth after a solid season overall.
They will next be in action against Aston Villa on Saturday.
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