Haaland Praises Newly Man City Stars After Champions League Debut

Ayyoub Bouaddi made his first Champions League start for Manchester City as Enzo Maresca’s side secured a 2-0 victory over FC Porto on Wednesday, and Erling Haaland was quick to praise his new teammate after an impressive debut.

The match at Estadio do Dragao saw Haaland score both of City’s goals as the visitors extended their strong run under Maresca. Beyond the result, however, Bouaddi’s performance provided another source of encouragement for the Premier League side.

The former Lille midfielder started the match and remained on the pitch until the 75th minute before being replaced by Mateo Kovacic. Despite his limited time in England, Bouaddi appeared comfortable in City’s midfield and played with the composure of a player who had already been part of the team for much longer.

Haaland was particularly impressed by the 19-year-old’s progress since arriving at the club. Speaking to Prime Video after the match, the Norway international revealed that Bouaddi had already caught the attention of his teammates during training.

“I think he had a very good performance. This week, I was speaking to the team president at training and he was incredible. We have a real gem,” Haaland said, as reported by Prime Video.

Bouaddi’s confidence was evident throughout his Champions League debut, although there was one moment that left Haaland frustrated.

The Frenchman played the ball towards the left flank during one attacking move when Haaland was making a run towards Porto’s defensive line. The striker felt Bouaddi could have released the ball to him instead, as he believed he had found enough space behind the defence.

Despite that minor frustration, Haaland’s overall assessment of Bouaddi was overwhelmingly positive. The young midfielder’s performance against Porto suggests that he may already be ready to compete for a significant role despite only recently joining the club.

For City, the victory in Portugal provides an ideal foundation for their Champions League campaign. Maresca’s team not only collected three points but also continued to build confidence ahead of a crucial domestic fixture.

Their next challenge will be the Manchester derby against Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday, September 13. With Bouaddi having made such a strong first impression in Europe, the midfielder could now be another option for Maresca as City prepare for one of the biggest matches of the season.