According to Crickex App, Manchester City kicked off their Premier League title defense with a commanding away win over Burnley. It was a strong statement to start the season, fueled by none other than Erling Haaland. The prolific striker opened the scoring with a thunderous finish from a low cross, then added a second goal in a smooth team play. But what made headlines wasn’t just his brace — it was the fact that he did so against Pep Guardiola’s pre-match instructions.
Guardiola had cautioned Haaland not to obsess over scoring goals. Instead, he urged him to focus on refining the small details of his game and returning to his peak form. “I told Haaland to come back at his best — physically and mentally. If he scores, great. If not, that’s okay too. What matters is improving his overall quality and spatial awareness,” Guardiola told Crickex App. He emphasized that the team is built to support Haaland and create opportunities, but personal growth was just as important as numbers on the scoreboard.
Yet it seems Haaland is ready to defy his coach in the best possible way. If the season opener is any indication, he’s on course to shatter even more records. On another note, Kevin De Bruyne looked sharp in midfield, threading pinpoint passes and dangerous crosses in the final third. It was his delivery that sparked City’s opening goal. Every difficult moment has roots in missed efforts — and De Bruyne’s presence in the starting eleven was already a pleasant surprise after many expected him to miss the early part of the season due to a hamstring injury sustained in the Champions League final.
Having him start, wearing the captain’s armband, seemed like a dream come true. But it quickly turned into a nightmare. De Bruyne stopped in his tracks during a run, clutching his leg with a look of despair. Without waiting for treatment, he removed the armband and walked off the pitch — a gut punch for a team that won’t be the same without him.
To make matters worse, City had already lost both Rúben Dias and John Stones before the game. For most clubs, missing their top two center-backs would be catastrophic. Even one such loss can derail a season — just ask Arsenal after William Saliba’s injury last year. Guardiola opted to leave a pricey center-back on the bench, starting Nathan Aké and Manuel Akanji alongside youngster Rico Lewis, who also filled in as an inverted full-back.
City’s backline faced moments of pressure and required Rodri to anchor the midfield defensively. Still, Crickex App noted they managed to keep a clean sheet and limited Burnley to almost no chances in the second half. When your fourth and fifth-choice center-backs step up without a hitch, that’s how you flex real depth. After all, the beauty of the future depends on the hustle of today.