Rico Lewis has hailed Erling Haaland as “amazing” after the striker scored yet again his 53rd goal in the Champions League during Manchester City’s 2-0 win over Villarreal.
City’s prolific No.9 found the net for the 12th consecutive match for club and country, converting Lewis’ cross just 17 minutes into the game at Estadio de la Cerámica. The strike marked Haaland’s 15th goal in 11 matches across all competitions this season.
With that goal, the Norwegian forward now sits in ninth place on the all-time Champions League scoring chart sting an astonishing record of 53 goals in just 51 appearances.
“Credit to him. He’s such a hard worker,” Lewis said after the match. “He never wants to stop scoring, and you can see that.”
Confidence and Control in Spain
Reflecting on the overall team performance, Lewis expressed satisfaction with both the win and the clean sheet but insisted the squad remains focused on improvement.
“We felt in control for most of it,” he said. “There are always things we can do better. They had a few spells we could have avoided if we’d kept the ball better.
We have to be harsh on ourselves — we want to win the competition. We’ll take the positives and learn from the negatives.”
The 19-year-old added that confidence was returning throughout the squad, emphasizing the team’s unity and belief.
“I think we’ve got our confidence back, that’s the main thing. When you play with confidence, nothing can stop you but yourself. Everyone trusts each other — there’s nothing better than that on the pitch.”
Crucial Away Win
Lewis also acknowledged Pep Guardiola’s message about the significance of early away victories in Europe.
“The manager said it’s so important to get that away win early on. It relieves pressure and puts us in good stead for the next games. Home or away, we always want the three points.”
Lewis Thriving in Midfield Role
Pep Guardiola deployed Lewis in a more advanced midfield position during the match, and the Englishman impressed — providing an assist and recording 31 touches in a dynamic display.
“I’m always happy when I play there,” Lewis revealed. “The manager knows that. It’s where I affect the game the most. When I’m playing football and I’m happy, there’s no better feeling.”
FAQ
Q: How many Champions League goals does Erling Haaland have?
A: Haaland has scored 53 goals in 51 matches in the competition.
Q: How many consecutive games has Haaland scored in?
A: He has now scored in 12 straight matches for both club and country.
Q: What was the score between Manchester City and Villarreal?
A: Manchester City won 2-0 in their Champions League group-stage clash.
Q: In what position did Rico Lewis play against Villarreal?
A: Pep Guardiola played Lewis in a more advanced midfield role, where he provided an assist.
Q: What did Lewis say about City’s performance?
A: He said the team felt in control, praised their confidence and clean sheet, but admitted there are still areas to improve.
Conclusion
Rico Lewis’ praise for Erling Haaland summed up Manchester City’s night in Spain disciplined, confident, and clinical. Haaland’s relentless scoring form continues to define City’s attack, while Lewis’ maturity and energy in midfield underline the depth of talent at Pep Guardiola’s disposal. With another vital Champions League win secured, City look well set for the challenges ahead.
