Sky Sports made use of their flashy new virtual technology on Monday Night Football to delve closer into the heated flashpoint between Pep Guardiola and Erling Haaland during Manchester City‘s victory at Burnley.
Boss Guardiola was spotted berating his superstar striker seconds after the whistle had blown for the interval at Turf Moor, despite him scoring twice before the break.
He later explained that the animated discussion had centred on Haaland’s desire to run onto passes in behind, rather than receiving less ambitious balls to his feet.
And ahead of Manchester United‘s first match of the new Premier League season, broadcaster Sky showcased their state-of-the-art feature to their viewers.
Indeed, pundits Gary Neville and Karen Carney were able to make use of their screen to take supporters closer to the viewpoint of the players on the pitch, allowing them a fascinating insight into their decision-making and hesitance to play Haaland in.
Pep Guardiola berated Erling Haaland during Manchester City’s victory against Burnley
Sky Sports used new technology to analyse Haaland’s runs and delve into his lack of service
The virtual screen, introduced for this season, takes viewers closer to the action on the pitch
Dropping the viewer into the point of view of Silva, Carney said: ‘Silva’s going to get on the ball. We’re going to put you straight into the eyes of Silva in this situation.
‘This now gives us the ability to see what he sees.
Explaining Haaland’s frustration, Neville said: ‘My philosophy has been from a manager I played under at Manchester United for 15, 20 years who said, “get the ball into the striker’s feet. Play the ball over the striker. Make sure you see their runs.”
‘Obviously it’s not Pep Guardiola’s preferred position. He likes to keep possession. From my point of view, I always want that pass to be played through to Haaland.
‘I have to say it looks a little bit more difficult when you step into the eyes of Bernardo Silva.’
The segment then moved across to Haaland’s view between Burnley’s backline.
Guardiola later explained Haaland was irked by his team-mates not playing him in behind
‘Let’s put you into the eyes of Haaland,’ Carney continued. ‘This is what he’s seeing.
‘Centre backs not in position, man-for-man marking. But what he also sees is so much space.’
Notably, Guardiola had interrupted his dressing down to walk across to a Sky camera and shove it away before trudging back toward the tunnel.
‘He wanted the ball in behind to him and that ball didn’t have to be in behind,’ he said post-match. ‘Sometimes you have to be patient to find the right moment.
‘He was not frustrated, I am not frustrated. In football it happens. Don’t be dramatic.’