Man City ace Rodri forced into answering awkward Erling Haaland and Alvaro Morata question
Manchester City midfielder Rodri has jokingly been forced into saying that international teammate Alvaro Morata is a better striker than club colleague Erling Haaland.
Rodri, who scored in City’s pulsating 4-4 draw with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, was asked by a journalist which forward he believes is the better player during a press conference on Tuesday. Rodri, flanked by Morata, was previewing Spain’s European Championship qualifier against Cyprus on Thursday.
Spain are currently top of their qualifying group, only ahead of second-placed Scotland on goal difference. Both sides have already qualified for next summer’s European Championship in Germany, meaning they will each use their two remaining fixtures to battle it out for top spot in Group A.
Spain and Scotland were joined by Norway, Georgia and Cyprus in their group, with the top two each winning five of their opening six games. It means Rodri has gone toe-to-toe with City teammate Haaland during the qualifying campaign.
The Norwegian is among the leading goalscorers in qualifying, plundering six goals in seven matches so far. Morata, by contrast, has scored four goals in five games.
Put in the slightly awkward position of being pressurised into naming which striker he believes is the better player, Rodri decided to play it safe, honouring Morata, who was sat next to him at the top table during the press conference.
“Obviously Morata,” Rodri joked, donning a smile. “The truth is that I’m very lucky to play with them.
“Alvaro has been playing for the national team for many years, he is up there with the greats of our history in terms of goals. And there is little to say about Erling because he has everything ahead of him to be one of the best.”
Morata, like Haaland, has been in fine form so far this season, scoring 12 goals in his first 15 appearances for Atletico Madrid this term. He has also chipped in with three assists.
Haaland’s brace in City’s draw with Chelsea took his tally for the season to 17 goals, meaning along with his four assists, he has directly contributed to 21 goals in just 18 matches this season. He has now scored 69 times in just 71 games for the club.
The Puma home shirt features the traditional sky blue colour but has slightly darker blue detailed stripes across the front which take inspiration from the Etihad Stadium’s walkways. City moved to their new home from Maine Road in 2003 and the shirt honours that anniversary.
