Porto defender Jakub Kiwior has offered a vivid account of the challenge of facing Erling Haaland, likening the experience of marking the Manchester City striker to 'playing rugby'.
Erling Haaland has received praise from FC Porto defender Jakub Kiwior.
More Videos
It goes without saying that few defenders in world football relish the prospect of a 90-minute battle with Haaland - and Kiwior is the latest to testify to just how draining it can be.
The Norwegian has picked up where he left off this term, racking up seven goals in his last five games as City stormed to the top of the Premier League.
Former Arsenal man Kiwior came face to face with the City talisman during Porto's recent UEFA Champions League defeat to Enzo Maresca's side, and was left under no illusions about the physical demands involved.
City ran out winners on the night, but it was the raw power of their number nine that clearly lingered in Kiwior's mind when he reflected on the contest afterwards.
Kiwior on Facing Haaland: I Feel Like I'm Playing Rugby
In an interview with Polish channel Sportowy, the former Gunner singled out Haaland's brute strength as the toughest part of his game to deal with, using a comparison from a completely different sport to sum it up.
“He's a world-class striker, with hundreds of goals,” Kiwior said. “When I'm a centre-back and I see Haaland running towards me, I feel like I'm playing rugby.”
Norway head coach Stale Solbakken has held face-to-face talks with Enzo Maresca at the City Football Academy to discuss the management of Erling Haaland’s workload.cityxtra.co.uk"We Exchanged Phone Numbers" - Norway Manager Holds Erling Haaland Talks With Enzo Maresca
Norway head coach Stale Solbakken has held face-to-face talks with Enzo Maresca at the City Football Academy to discuss the management of Erling Haaland’s workload.
It is a description countless Premier League defenders would probably find relatable. Haaland's combination of size, strength and speed makes him a uniquely difficult opponent, and the Norwegian has shown no sign of easing off in the opening weeks of the campaign.
Few defenders have found a dependable way to blunt him since his switch to English football, and his goal tally continues to climb at a startling rate. Kiwior added, though, that the physical side is only half the battle - it is Haaland's movement and knack of drifting into the right areas that so often prove decisive.
“He's very strong physically, has excellent positioning and the ball always seems to find him,” the defender added. “He's difficult to mark, but these are the challenges that make us grow.”
How Haaland Made History Against Kiwior
Haaland's brace against Porto sent him clear of Thomas Muller as the sole seventh-highest scorer in Champions League history, with 59 goals in as many appearances.
Raúl and Kylian Mbappé currently share fifth place on 71 goals each, although it is only a matter of time before the Frenchman adds to his own tally and approaches the 90 scored by Karim Benzema.
City's next European fixtures are home games against Paris Saint-Germain and AEK Athens, where Haaland will be hopeful of adding to the historic goalscoring record that has made defenders like Kiwior fearful for more than half a decade.