Pep Guardiola addressed Erling Haaland’s notable miss during the first half of the Manchester derby while lauding the striker’s talent.

The Manchester City forward failed to capitalize on a clear opportunity in the opening half, unable to guide the ball into an unguarded net from close range.Despite this, Haaland later scored a third goal towards the end of the match, expanding his team’s lead in the Manchester derby.Reflecting on Haaland’s performance, Manager Guardiola emphasized the Norwegian’s capacity to move past errors swiftly, attributing this trait to his status as a “great player” and drawing an unusual analogy with basketball players.Speaking to reporters post-match, the Catalan manager remarked, “The truly exceptional players I’ve encountered—fortunate to have managed many—have the remarkable ability to brush off missed opportunities instantly. It’s not just footballers but also basketball players. They miss, they smile, and they move forward. Haaland embodies this mentality. His remarkable ability to let go defines greatness.”