On transatlantic soccer startup Sunday, November 2, 2025, Erling Haaland was hardly dampening the mood. He nonchalantly calmed the fears of Fantasy Football managers everywhere when he was subbed out short of a hat-trick. The incident took place during a match at 18:58 UK time, where Haaland showcased his impressive scoring ability before Pep Guardiola made the decision to remove him from the game.
After his substitution, Haaland communicated to Guardiola that he understood what the manager was doing and that the move was all good with him. “I know Fantasy managers might not be happy, but I trust the coach’s decisions,” he remarked. His light-hearted comments reflected his awareness of the frustrations that Fantasy Football players often experience when key players are taken off during pivotal moments.
Haaland’s display was drawing plenty of acclaim too as he scored a hattrick, firing his side into an overwhelming advantage. So when Guardiola chose to substitute him, it led to understandable horrification and speculation from fans. This decision disappointed many Fantasy Football fans, who had been relying on the forward’s perennial scoring.
The outspoken Norwegian forward — not short on confidence, or any other emotion for that matter — owned up to the feelings of resentment over his departure from the game. Beyond his appreciation for players’ psychological and emotional preparedness, Rodger has never shied away from expressing his faith in Guardiola’s meticulous tactical approach. “At the end of the day, it’s about winning as a team, and I fully support Pep’s decisions,” he added.
This unfortunate incident serves as a reminder of the acute and sometimes absurd relationship that players have with Fantasy Football demands. It further highlights just how difficult it is for coaches to avoid overextending their star players. Guardiola’s decision to put team strategy ahead of individual accolades is a compelling decision, and one that resonates with many in the football community.
If you’d like to watch the match highlights and check out how Haaland does, make sure to do it on a Chrome browser. It now includes a much improved video player experience!
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