'I apologise to everyone': Erling Haaland takes responsibility after humiliating defeat to Bodo/Glimt

Haaland extended his goal drought to four matches after failing to score against Bodo/Glimt, despite playing the full 90 minutes. The Norwegian forward registered three shots, none on target, with 14 touches and an expected goals figure of 0.38.

His struggles reflected Manchester City’s wider problems, as the team failed to convert chances despite their attacking quality. Defensively, City were also exposed on the counter-attack, allowing the Norwegian side to create several clear opportunities.

After the defeat, Haaland admitted the performance was below standard. “I take full responsibility for not being able to score. I apologise to everyone - every single City supporter that travelled," he said.

“In the end it’s embarrassing, I don’t know what else to say because I don’t have the answers - and what I can say is sorry. It was a fully deserved win for them and it’s not good enough from us. They play incredible at home.

“We played well until they scored their first goal, but then they scored again. Then Jens (Petter Hauge) scores the goal of the year. We did our best but something is missing. The senior players take responsibility".

“I don’t want to speak about how I feel or whatever. I do my best whenever I’m on the pitch. I’m on the pitch quite often because of the ridiculous amount of games. I try to do my best. And I try to get ready for the next game – which is in four days. So we have to try to recover again.”

City manager Pep Guardiola echoed his player’s concerns. "We arrived in some departments without important players and they are a little bit fragile like they were last season in a certain period. But how they fought, ten against 11, a lot of players made a step up.

“We have to come back for the victory. I have a feeling that the results since 2025 was not good, so in terms of the Premier League, and now today, but we have to look forward".

Manchester City have now lost two matches in a row, following a 0-2 defeat to Manchester United last weekend. They sit seven points behind Arsenal in the Premier League, level on points with Aston Villa. City will face Wolves on 24 January before concluding the Champions League Swiss Stage against Galatasaray on 29 January.