The 'Monster' Haaland Who Shined in the Champions League: How Far Will He Grow?

Multi-goal Performance in Champions League Match Against Paris Saint-Germain (PSG)

Bundesliga's 'Player of the Month' Erling Haaland of Dortmund / Photo by Bundesliga Official Website Capture

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kim Sung-yeol] Borussia Dortmund's 'monster' Erling Haaland led his team to victory by scoring multiple goals in the first leg of the Champions League match against Paris Saint-Germain (PSG). Born in 2000 and only 20 years old this year, Haaland's unstoppable performance has captured the attention of football fans worldwide.

On the 19th (local time), Haaland scored two goals in the Champions League Round of 16 first leg match against PSG held at Dortmund's BVB Stadion, leading his team to a 2-1 victory.

With this, Haaland has scored 8 goals in 5 league matches, 1 goal in the Pokal Cup, and 2 goals in the Champions League since joining Dortmund.

Scoring 11 goals within a month of his transfer, he is living up to his nickname 'monster.' Football fans are eagerly anticipating how far this 20-year-old can grow.

Haaland, who played for Austria's FC Red Bull Salzburg where Hwang Hee-chan was also a member, transferred to Dortmund during the winter transfer window. At that time, big clubs like Manchester United, Juventus, and Real Madrid all wanted him, but Haaland chose Dortmund.

When Dortmund paid the €22.5 million (approximately 29 billion KRW) buyout clause to Salzburg to bring Haaland, fans did not have high expectations, citing adaptation periods and other reasons.

However, in his debut match on January 18 (Korean time), the 2019-20 German Bundesliga Round 18 away game against Augsburg, Haaland was substituted in at the 11th minute of the second half and scored a hat-trick, leading the team to a comeback victory.

Then, on January 25, in the Bundesliga Round 19 match against Cologne at Dortmund's Signal Iduna Park, Haaland was substituted in at the 20th minute of the second half and scored multiple goals, contributing to a 5-1 rout. In just two matches, Haaland dispelled fans' concerns.

The time taken to score his fifth goal in just two appearances was only 57 minutes. Since Haaland was not in full condition and did not play the full match, fans' expectations grew even higher.

As a result, the Bundesliga selected Haaland as the 'Player of the Month' on the 15th, based on a combination of individual player performance data analysis and votes from fans and experts. The Bundesliga office congratulated Haaland on his award, stating, "He left an impressive record."

On the 17th, Hans-Joachim Watzke, CEO of Dortmund, said in an interview with the sports media 'Goal.com' about Haaland's signing, "It was an opportunity that won't come again."

He praised Haaland, saying, "We were looking for a striker who plays differently. He had to be a tall and physically strong number 9 forward. There is no other fast striker who is 194 cm tall. We did not consider other options."

He added, "We have been watching Haaland for quite a while. I first met Haaland last December. He has a lively personality and is hungry for success. Although young, he has a strong will and is always focused. He is a rare talent. This is good news for us."