Chess helps train the mind, and there are many clear similarities with football. You have to think fast, believe in intuition and calculate a few moves in advance. Strategy and plan are everything" - Erling Haaland shared when announcing his investment in the Total Chess World Chess Championship this week.
However, the Manchester City striker's strategy does not seem to be effective at a specific location. That is Wembley.
Before the Carabao Cup final at the weekend, Haaland's statistics at this stadium caused many people to worry. Not only lacking goals or assists, his finishing efficiency is also quite limited. In 6 appearances at Wembley, Haaland only launched 9 shots, of which only 3 were on target and one hit the post.
The first time Haaland appeared at Wembley was in the FA Cup 2023 semi-finals against Sheffield United. Although Man City was completely superior, the Norwegian striker still could not score, while Riyad Mahrez scored a hat-trick in the 3-0 victory.
In the final match against Manchester United afterwards, the game became more tense, but Haaland continued to remain silent. Ilkay Gundogan was the main character with a brilliant performance.
Haaland experienced his first defeat at Wembley in the 2023 English Super Cup match. He was substituted in a 1-1 draw and did not participate in the penalty shootout, where Arsenal won.
In the FA Cup 2024 semi-final against Chelsea, Haaland was injured and did not leave much of an impression when returning in the final, where Man United reclaimed their debt with a surprising victory.
Despite scoring in the English Super Cup match against Man United later, Haaland's goal only came from a penalty shootout. Last season, he continued to miss the semi-final match against Nottingham Forest due to injury, but recovered in time to participate in the final against Crystal Palace.
However, that is probably Haaland's biggest disappointment at Wembley to date, as Man City suffered one of the most shocking defeats in FA Cup history.
Worse, the Norwegian striker also caused controversy when refusing to take a penalty, giving the opportunity to Omar Marmoush. From the 11m spot, Marmoush's shot was blocked by goalkeeper Dean Henderson.
After the match, Haaland admitted his mistake: "I shouldn't have given that opportunity to a new player. All responsibility belongs to me. I put him in a difficult situation. I have a good feeling about him, but I should have taken responsibility myself.
However, Haaland's problem is not limited to the Wembley arch. The Norwegian striker seems to tend to lose his sharp scoring instinct in decisive matches.
He has been silent in all 8 finals for Man City, including the 2022 English Super Cup, the 2023 Champions League in Istanbul and the European Super Cup in the same year.
If Arsenal lifts the Carabao Cup trophy at Wembley this weekend and Haaland continues to be silent after his seventh appearance in the holy city of English football, his faded reputation in big matches will certainly continue to become a topic of discussion.
As he once declared against Arsenal two years ago, this is the time for Haaland to speak up. The Norwegian striker must prove his bravery, completely eliminate prejudice and add Wembley to the list of stadiums he has conquered.
