Phil Foden vows 'unbelievable' Erling Haaland will make more history after Manchester City striker sets Champions League record against Napoli
Published 18/09/2025 at 23:46 GMT+1
Erling Haaland was the name on everyone's lips again as he brought up 50 UEFA Champions League goals with an improvised header to open the scoring against Napoli. Phil Foden, who provided the assist, was effusive in his praise for Haaland, and also had kind words for Jeremy Doku and former team-mate Kevin De Bruyne. Pep Guardiola, meanwhile, lauded his side's "incredibly good" composure.
Foden vows ‘unbelievable’ Haaland will make more history, thanks ‘legend’ De Bruyne
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Phil Foden hailed the goalscoring prowess of Manchester City team-mate Erling Haaland, who set yet another record with a goal in his side's 2-0 UEFA Champions League win over Napoli.
Haaland was picked out by Foden early in the second half and found the net with a superb looping header.
It brought up his 50th Champions League goal in just his 49th appearance, fewer than any player to reach that landmark in the competition's history, and Foden was full of praise for the prolific forward.
"He seems to break every record going," Foden told TNT Sports. "At his age it's unheard of.
"I don't think anyone's going to break the records he'll break if he carries on the way he's going.
"Unbelievable player and someone we need very much this year."
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Haaland breaks record to head Man City in front - ‘Swiftest 50 in Champions League history'
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Reflecting on his assist for Haaland's opener, Foden said: "First half was a bit frustrating. I wasn't getting many touches between the lines due to how well they were keeping tight together in midfield.
"I knew second half once the game opened up there'd be chances for me to turn on the ball.
"It was something we worked on in training - Erling's always going to make that run. I knew he was there before I played the ball, so hopefully we can do it again now."
Foden was also positive on City's overall display against the Serie A champions, who had started their domestic campaign with three straight wins.
"Perfect start, 2-0 win against a very tough opponent," Foden said. "They went down to 10 men, which helped us, but they're a nightmare team to break down and you saw that today, the structure and how they keep so deep.
"They give you minimal spaces and it's about using the ball at the right time and trying to break the lines.
"I thought we were pretty clever, we didn't give too many turnovers away in silly areas and overall a solid performance."
The 25-year-old also had praise for in-form Jeremy Doku, who scored City's second goal with an excellent run and finish.
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'Dancing feet of Doku impossible to stop' as Man City double lead
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"He's playing really well, probably the best form he's been in for City," Foden added. "We know what Jeremy's got to his game, unbelievable one v one, the strength he has to hold up players.
"It's about slowing down in the final third and he's definitely improved that with his goals and assists."
Finally, Foden had a word for the returning Kevin De Bruyne, who was given a warm reception by the City fans despite being withdrawn in the first half after Napoli went down to 10 players.
"Really lovely - a legend of the club," Foden said. "Can't thank him enough for what he's done for the club."
Guardiola: 'Our composure is incredibly good'
City boss Pep Guardiola made clear his delight with his side's performance, highlighting the difficulty of breaking down a Napoli side intent on defending resolutely.
"We start better than last season - we drew with Inter last year," he told TNT Sports.
"We played for a long time against 10. We were not stressed in that situation and we beat an incredible top side.
"The team's last two games have another feeling; our composure offensively, defensively is incredibly good.
"The first half we could have scored, [goalkeeper Vanja] Milinkovic-Savic was incredible. Really pleased with the game we played."
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On Doku's impressive start to the season, Guardiola said: "In the smallest spaces he's unstoppable. The last two games were really, really good."
Guardiola also reserved high praise for Antonio Conte's Napoli and their defensive efforts.
"Italian teams are unbelievable. I've been in Champions League against Italian teams many times, and 11 v 10 I was not able to break it," he said. "The resilience, the focus, I admire them a lot.
"They are really, really good. It's in the DNA of Italian teams."
Manchester City's next game in the Champions League is away to Monaco on October 1.
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