Erling Haaland's team-mate highlights one quality that makes Man City star unique

Erling Haaland stunned everyone with his sensational backheel volley against Sparta Prague and he now has 44 Champions League goals in just 42 games

Erling Haaland has been called a finishing “machine” by Manchester City pal Matheus Nunes.

Haaland stunned Nunes - and everyone inside the Etihad - with his sensational backheel volley for the first of his two goals against Sparta Prague to take his Champions League haul to 44 in just 42 games. The Norway star brought up a century of goals for City last month in just 105 games and already has 13 this season in his last 11 appearances.

Nunes can only marvel at his striking genius and says he is a unique talent. “I would probably try to score that goal like he did, but it wouldn’t come out the same way,” he smiled. “It was crazy. I don’t know how he reached with his foot to the ball so high, like he did. It was a top goal.

“I don’t think anyone else could do that. He’s one of a kind, unique. He’s a top goalscorer, a machine when it comes to finishing.”

Haaland has still to hit his peak at 24 and Nunes says he is always working on getting better. The Portuguese is struck by his patience and he waits for a chance, even when he is not involved in the game.

“Working with him every day, seeing the way he does stuff, the little details he pays attention to, his hunger to score goals, his patience, he’s incredible,” he said. “It doesn’t matter for him if he touches the ball once or twice per game if he scores. He’s always there. He’s just waiting for the chance to put the ball in the net.

“His hunger to score, he doesn’t want to lose. He never wants to lose, even in training. You could see even in the first half, when we were winning 1-0 and he was upset we hadn’t scored more. It’s this kind of stuff that makes him one of a kind.”

Nunes scored City’s fifth in the 5-0 win from the penalty spot to register his second goal for the club and he is quietly helping fill the chasm left by Rodri’s injury. Nunes finally feels at home after struggling to hold down a place last season following his £53million move from Wolves.

“I try to be the best I can in every game,” he said. “I feel like I’ve settled in the best this season. I’m more calm, I don’t put so much pressure on myself. I think that’s clear for everyone since the start of the season.

“I just have to keep working like this. Just trying to play my best every time I’m chosen to do so.”

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