Exclusive: Don Hutchison chooses between Haaland and Benzema ahead of Champions League showdown
The UEFA Champions League is back with a round of semi-final fixtures this week, with Real Madrid taking on an in-form Manchester City side in the first leg at the Santiago Bernabeu. Both teams have high-profile strikers in their ranks and can be virtually unstoppable on their day.
Karim Benzema and Erling Haaland are in impressive form at the moment and could make a difference for their teams this week. In an exclusive interview with Sportskeeda, former Premier League midfielder Don Hutchison has drawn a comparison between the two formidable strikers.
"Erling Haaland and Karim Benzema are two completely different types of players. The way Haaland plays, he’s all about the numbers, and he always has been throughout his career. Benzema is a more technical player, he’s comfortable coming short and linking the play. He’s like a number ten - he’s got good young players around him, and the talents of Modric and Kroos behind him."
"He's potentially the one to get the winner" - Don Hutchison backs Erling Haaland to make an impact against Real Madrid
Erling Haaland has come into his own under Pep Guardiola and is enjoying a stellar breakthrough season in the Premier League. The Norwegian striker has scored an astonishing 51 goals in all competitions so far and has already smashed several records this season.
Manchester City had signed Haaland to extend their dominance to the UEFA Champions League, and Don Hutchison has backed the prolific striker to deliver for his side this week.
"Erling Haaland is scoring one or two goals every game, he’s scoring five at times. It doesn’t mean that he’s a better player than Benzema, but I think with the team he’s got around him, Manchester City will come out on top over the two legs. If they do get to the final, I think he’s potentially the one to get the winner. I’ve never seen anyone hit the numbers – apart from Messi and Ronaldo – that Haaland’s getting this season."
Real Madrid have indisputably been the best team in the competition over the past decade. Los Blancos have won five out of the last nine editions of the competitions and have a knack for securing victories in high-profile knock-out games.
Manchester City, on the other hand, have flattered to deceive in the UEFA Champions League and are yet to conquer the competition. Pep Guardiola last won the coveted trophy with Barcelona in 2011 and will be intent on ending his drought in the competition.
Watch LIVE coverage of UEFA Champions League 2022-23 Semifinals on Sony Sports Ten 2, Sony Sports Ten 3 (Hindi) & Sony Sports Ten 4 (Tamil & Telugu) channels on 10th & 11th May 2023 at 12.30 AM IST.