Haaland Issues Public Apology After Man City’s ‘Embarrassing’ Defeat to Bodo/Glimt
Manchester, England — Manchester City striker Erling Haaland has issued a rare and heartfelt public apology after the Premier League champions suffered a stunning and “embarrassing” Champions League defeat to Norwegian side Bodo/Glimt, a result that sent shockwaves through European football.
City, widely regarded as one of the strongest teams in Europe, were unexpectedly outplayed in a cold, intense atmosphere in Norway. The match ended with Bodo/Glimt taking all three points in a result many fans are calling one of Manchester City’s worst European nights in recent years.
Speaking after the match, Haaland did not hide his frustration, admitting that both he and the team performed far below the standard expected.
“I take full responsibility for not scoring the goals I should have scored,” he said.
“I just want to apologise to every Manchester City supporter, especially those who travelled. The performance was embarrassing.”
The Norwegian striker, normally a relentless goal-scoring machine, struggled to find space and rhythm throughout the game, with the Bodo/Glimt defence doubling up on him and disrupting City’s attacking flow.
The defeat has been labelled a major upset, considering the quality gap between the two teams.
Manchester City looked disjointed, slow in transition, and unable to control the midfield — a stark contrast to their usual dominance.
Analysts have highlighted:
- Poor defensive coordination
- Lack of creativity in midfield
- Wastefulness in front of goal
- Bodo/Glimt’s incredible intensity and tactical discipline
The loss puts pressure on the club as they navigate a tough run of fixtures domestically and in Europe.
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola played down any talk of crisis but admitted the performance was below standard.
He noted that:
- The team must react strongly
- Concentration levels were not good enough
- Small mistakes cost them heavily
Nonetheless, Guardiola praised the home side for their fearless approach and high-energy football.
Following the defeat, Manchester City players collectively offered to refund travel costs to fans who went to Norway for the match — a gesture aimed at acknowledging the disappointment and showing appreciation for their loyalty.
Supporters on social media expressed mixed emotions:
- Some praised Haaland’s accountability
- Others criticised the team’s attitude
- Many demanded an immediate response in the next match
With more Champions League group matches to come, Manchester City still have a clear path to qualification, but they will now need to approach upcoming fixtures with renewed determination.
Haaland, who rarely issues public apologies, ended his remarks with a vow to put things right:
“We will come back stronger. This cannot happen again.“
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