Erling Haaland
Action Images via Reuters/Jason Cairnduff
Erling Haaland has been accused of breaking an unusual Enzo Maresca rule during Manchester City’s 4-2 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League.
Haaland and his City teammates endured a nightmare first half against the reigning European champions, with Desire Doue, Ousmane Dembele and Vitinha all scoring for Luis Enrique’s formidable side.
Maresca made three changes at half-time, withdrawing Jeremy Doku, Rayan Cherki and captain Ruben Dias for Iliman Ndiaye, Ayyoub Bouaddi and Matheus Nunes, respectively.
City subsequently improved. Haaland hit back with two goals but it wasn’t enough to prevent a defeat in front of former boss Pep Guardiola, who watched on from the Etihad Stadium stands.
PSG netted another goal through Maghnes Akliouche and could have made it 5-2 before full-time had Ferran Torres converted a late penalty past Gianluigi Donnarumma.
Man City corner flag
Man City corner flag
Haaland 'Broke' Maresca Rule
Manchester City's Erling Haaland celebrates scoring their first goa
Manchester City's Erling Haaland celebrates scoring their first goa
Haaland’s brace, though, at least restored some pride for the Premier League leaders.
But The Mirror explain how Haaland broke a long-standing Maresca rule in the process.
The world-class striker was surprisingly handed the captain’s armband after Dias was substituted at half-time.
Why surprising? Back in August, shortly after his arrival at Man City, Maresca told reporters why the Norwegian couldn’t be his skipper.
He explained at the time: "At Leicester and Chelsea I had a rule that when we scored the captain had to come to the bench, not to celebrate, but for instructions. But if he scores, then he can celebrate.
“If you saw the game [against K-League XI], when we scored the first goal, Ruben [Dias] came over to the bench.
"I think even if it is two or three minutes, there is always something to adjust."
Enzo Maresca
Action Images via Reuters/Jason Cairnduff
Rather than going to the bench to discuss any tactical tweaks, Haaland celebrated his first goal before having a brief conversation with Josko Gvardiol on his way back to his own half.
After netting his second goal, making the scoreline 4-2, he simply ran back to the halfway line.
However, the fact that City were trailing at the time and in desperate need of more goals means Haaland may have been exempt from Maresca’s unorthodox rule.
The Mirror add: “While not covered specifically, Maresca almost certainly meant that the rule largely applies when City score either first or to extend their advantage with the celebrations lasting longer than Haaland's two against PSG.”
City will now be focused on bouncing back from Wednesday’s defeat to PSG by maintaining their perfect start to the 2026-27 campaign with another league win over Ipswich Town this weekend.