'Alvaro Morata is on par with Erling Haaland' says Diego Simeone
Cameron Smith
- 14 Nov 2023 10:08 CST
- 3 min read
Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone believes that Alvaro Morata is performing at the same level as Manchester City star Erling Haaland.
Morata, 31, has enjoyed a blistering start to the new season, netting 12 goals and providing three assists in just 15 games across La Liga and the Champions League.
In fact, no player has scored more goals in Europe’s elite club competition than the Spaniard this year, with Morata leading the way alongside Rasmus Hojlund on five goals.
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Haaland, for comparison, has bagged four Champions League goals this term and leads the chasing pack behind Morata and Hojlund.
Furthermore, the Norway international has continued his fine form of last campaign in the Premier League, topping the scoring charts in the English top flight with 13 strikes.
Haaland is considered by many as the best striker in the world, but Atletico head coach Simeone thinks that Morata deserves to be placed on the same pedestal.
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What has been said?
Simone, who is nicknamed ‘El Cholo’, spoke on Manu Carreno's podcast ‘El Larguero’ and said: “Alvaro Morata is on par with Erling Haaland. In terms of goals and his numbers, he can certainly be compared to him.”
Haaland narrowly edges Morata out regarding goals scored this campaign (17 to 12), but he has played three more games than the Spaniard, which must be taken into account.
Last season, however, it wasn’t a contest. While Morata has impressed since joining Atleti on a permanent deal in 2021, he was not on par with Haaland in 2022-23.
Although Morata netted a respectable 15 goals during the campaign, the Man City star scored 52 times in 52 games as he helped Pep Guardiola’s side to the treble in his first season in English football.
However, despite previously being known as a very defensive coach, Simeone has adapted his style over the past 12 months and Morata’s upturn in form is at least partly down to the Argentine, although Haaland comparisons are perhaps slightly outlandish.
