Phil Foden labels Erling Haaland 'freak' after wonder goal, Rio Ferdinand says Norwegian gives 'Ibrahimovic vibes'

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Phil Foden called his Manchester City team-mate Erling Haaland a "freak" after his stunningly acrobatic backheel goal against Sparta Prague in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday. City demolished the Czech side 5-0, with the lethal Norwegian bagging twice and Foden scoring the opening goal on another successful European night for Pep Guardiola's side.

'This is Zlatan Ibrahimovic vibes' - Ferdinand in awe of 'ridiculous' Haaland acrobatics

Video credit: TNT Sports

Phil Foden has called Erling Haaland a "freak" following his incredible flying backheel goal in Manchester City's 5-0 UEFA Champions League demolition of Sparta Prague at the Etihad on Wednesday.

Haaland scored twice and was hunting another hat-trick before being substituted in the 81st minute.

A mid-air Haaland met Savinho's cross with his back to goal, acrobatically backheeling the ball past Sparta goalkeeper Peter Vindahl for City's second goal.

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It started a 10-minute flurry of goals for Pep Guardiola's side, with John Stones adding a header and Haaland scoring his second not long after.

Foden had opened the scoring in the second minute, but City were unable to find the net again until Haaland's feat of athleticism in the second half.

"I just spoke to him and said 'If I tried to do that I'd pull my groin.' I don't know how he does it," Foden said post-match.

"I think it's just how long his legs are. He's a freak. I've seen him score one similar against Borussia Dortmund, so it shows that he has this talent that no one else can do."

Foden has started just three games for City this season, having been named the Premier League Player of the Season in 2023/24.

The midfielder picked up the Player of the Match award on Wednesday and looked at his brilliant best.

"The aim is just to try and hit what I hit last year as a player," he added. "Last year I showed over a long season that I was very consistent and I want to get back there.

"And for the team as well, show we're still hungry to win trophies, don't show that we've dropped off. I think this year we're still showing how hungry we are, scoring against Wolves late on and the passion that we've shown in the celebration.

"So it just shows we still want to fight for more trophies.

"The players that we are and the type of people we are, we're grounded. But I think the players we have in the changing with all the experience and the manager I think they keep us grounded as well. It's good to be a part of this team."

Highlights: Haaland scores outrageous acrobatic goal in five-star Man City rout

Video credit: TNT Sports

HAALAND WONDER GOAL GIVES 'IBRAHIMOVIC VIBES'

Rio Ferdinand said Haaland's stunning strike against Sparta Prague gave "Zlatan Ibrahimovic vibes".

The Norwegian leaped to meet Savinho's cross and connected with a stunning backheel that stunned Sparta goalkeeper Vindahl.

"That was like kung-fu. It was ridiculous," said TNT Sports pundit Ferdinand.

"We've seen him do it before, this is Zlatan Ibrahimovic vibes. That body of theirs is able to get into positions that not many people can do, and control the football.

"It takes your breath away in how he can get so high. No one else is scoring that goal.

"You've got to know your body as well to take your body to that kind of extreme. He's obviously doing a lot off the pitch to enable him to do that. The strength, the flexibility, wonderful footballer.

Steve McManaman echoed Ferdinand's thoughts, saying: "When people talk about goals in a year and shots from outside the box, most people can score them. But you're talking about one in a hundred people who can score that goal. That's why it is so, so special."

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