Written By : Imran Razib
Erling Haaland has been backed to get even better ahead of Borussia Dortmund’s DFL-Supercup showdown with Bayern Munich.
Haaland is Dortmund’s outstanding star, having scored 62 goals in 61 games in all competitions since his debut for the club in January 2020.
Of players in Europe’s top five leagues, only Bayern’s Robert Lewandowski (74 in 63) has scored more in that time, while Haaland’s shot conversion rate of 33.3 per cent is the best among those with 20 goals or more.
After a cup hat-trick at Wehen Wiesbaden and then a league double against Eintracht Frankfurt, Haaland’s 2021-22 tally of five in two games already leads the way. His 15 shots represent another high, as does their expected goals value of 4.6.
Bayern coach Julian Nagelsmann praised Haaland ahead of Tuesday’s game against Dortmund but said Lewandowski’s class was “proven over several years”.
Meanwhile, Marco Rose, Nagelsmann’s opposite number in the BVB dugout, suggested Haaland could yet get much better.
“Erling wants to be a complete player – he says that himself – and he’s making clear progress,” Rose said.
“He is still young and has so much potential for development. He knows that, too.
“Just imagine he takes full advantage of that, what a footballer he will become. We’re working on that together.”
Haaland also provided an assist against Frankfurt, with Thorgan Hazard the beneficiary. Hazard will miss the game against Bayern, however.
It is a match Dortmund enter ahead of Bayern in the Bundesliga, with the champions having drawn at Borussia Monchengladbach, and Rose is keen to send a message.
“Every game is a measuring stick. You should definitely try to win,” he said.
“It’s a prestige duel against Bayern and you can win a title – that’s why we should try to win that. We want to show that we are there and ready for the season.”
