Haaland nets twice as City beat Porto and hails teenage gem Bouaddi

Erling Haaland scored twice in the second half as Manchester City began their Champions League league-phase campaign with a composed 2-0 victory over Porto in Portugal on Tuesday night, with teenage signing Ayyoub Bouaddi catching the eye on his debut.

Haaland opened the scoring shortly after the interval, getting on the end of a cross from summer arrival Enzo Fernandez, before adding a second to seal the points. It was a straightforward evening for Enzo Maresca’s side, who arrive in Europe having won all three of their Premier League fixtures so far — one of only two top-flight clubs alongside Arsenal to have a perfect record.

After the final whistle, Haaland was full of praise for Bouaddi, the teenage midfielder City signed before the deadline, while delivering a mock complaint about one missed pass in his direction.

“I think he had a really good game,” Haaland said after the match. “The last couple of weeks in training, I just told the chairman, he’s been amazing in training and everything. So I think we’ve got a gem there, to be honest.”

Haaland then added, with a grin: “But I think he should have played me through during the second half — I was all alone. So I was a bit angry, and I will tell him right now. But he played a good game, except that pass.”

The Norwegian also reflected on what Maresca is demanding from his squad as the new head coach settles into the role.

“We have to learn, Enzo has to demand a lot from us. We have to demand a lot from each other,” Haaland said. “And we have to win games, because at Man City you have to win games and win trophies — so that’s what we have to do at this club.”

City now turn their attention back to domestic matters, travelling to Old Trafford this weekend for the Manchester derby against United.