Manchester City released their new documentary last night, and there’s one admission from Erling Haaland that fans will certainly relate to.
Manchester City won the Premier League for a fourth consecutive season last time out, and the club filmed behind-the-scenes footage throughout the campaign.
The documentary has some very revealing moments, such as Pep Guardiola’s reaction to Rodri getting a red card against Nottingham Forest.
Fans can also see Guardiola’s worldless team meeting that impressed Khaldoon Al Mubarak.
One of the most significant moments of last season came when City went to play against Tottenham Hotspur in their penultimate Premier League game.
What Haaland thought when Son raced through against Ortega
City were in the ascendency during the final couple of months of the 2023/24 season.
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It’s often the case that the team reach their best level at the business end, but everyone knew the game against Spurs would be tough.
Against Spurs, City had taken the lead through Erling Haaland, but then late on, Heung-min Son race through against Stefan Ortega.
It was a major moment in the season. If Son would have scored, City may well have dropped points and the title race would have been in Arsenal’s hands going into the final day.
But Ortega made an incredible save. At the time, Jamie Carragher claimed Ortega won Manchester City the Premier League title in that moment.
In the new documentary, there’s a scene where Khaldoon Al Mubarak is talking to some of the players in the canteen about Ortega’s save, with Ortega present himself.
Khaldoon asked Haaland what was going through his head when Son raced through, with the Norwegian making an admission many fans will agree with.
He replied: “The whole world stopped.”
What Pep Guardiola thought as Son raced through against Ortega
Haaland wasn’t the only one to have feared the worst when Son was bearing down on goal.
Guardiola genuinely feared that City were about to lose the title, admitting that Son has given City so much trouble in the past.
He said at the time (via football.london): “You know how many times Son punishes us the last seven, eight years? How many goals they score with Harry Kane? Oh my god.
“We define here how is the team. Ortega saves the actions, otherwise Arsenal are champions, that is the reality. Margins are so tight.
“Stefan makes an incredible save. He has this talent, one vs one he is one of the best keepers I’ve seen in my entire life. He has the German culture, stand up, don’t go down. Since I arrive, in the FA Cup and Carabao Cups. Ederson has had four injuries [this season]. He is so reliable, an incredible keeper. Our keeper trainer made an incredible decision to sign him.”
Thankfully after Ortega’s incredible save, City saw the game out with Haaland scoring again from the penalty spot, before beating West Ham United on the final day to seal the title.