Manchester City has been "the four major players are empty" this season. Why is Haaland cowardly at a critical moment?

"Demon" Ellin Haaland now feels disgusting when he sees Wembley Stadium.

Crystal Palace won the first major event championship in the club's 119-year history. Poster source: FA Cup X official account

On May 17, the Norwegian striker had the chance to end his goal spell at this national stadium, but in the FA Cup final where Manchester City lost 0-1 to Crystal Palace, he chose to give up this opportunity. Before the penalty spot, Haaland hesitated for a long time and handed the ball to Egyptian striker Marmush.

Haaland held the ball tightly and was about to equalize the score through a penalty kick, but he kissed the ball at the penalty kick and handed the ball to his teammate Omar Marmush, who was saved by Crystal Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson, shocking the audience.

Henderson saved the penalty kick taken by Marmush. Henderson said after the game: "Haland may have been preparing to take the penalty, but I don't know which direction he would choose, but Marmush, I know where he will play, I know I can save."

"I thought Omar wanted to take the penalty, but they didn't say anything." Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola said, "The key to the moment of the penalty kick was that feeling. Omar spent a long time after putting the ball down, which put him more pressure. Henderson made a wonderful save."

Former Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney hinted that Haaland might have psychological problems. He said: "Haland is a world-class striker, but when we talk about Messi and Ronaldo, it is absolutely impossible for them to throw the ball away. That's how they differ from Haaland or Mbappe and other players. They are selfish and want to score goals in every game."

"Maybe it's too unbearable for him to think of taking a penalty at Wembley. No one can tell, he's alone," Rooney added.

Haaland swept the thousands of troops in his first season in England, scoring 52 goals in 53 games, helping Manchester City win the "triple crown" of the Champions League, Premier League and FA Cup. However, after losing to Manchester United last year, he and his team lost two consecutive years in the FA Cup final at Wembley Stadium, and this season was "empty in all four".

Manchester City and Arsenal, the two top Premier League teams, have "all the big four" this season. Poster source: B/R Football X Official Account

In an interview with the BBC earlier last week, Haaland described the season as "bad", but said Manchester City had the opportunity to make up for the mistake by beating Crystal Palace to win the trophy.

But they failed to do it.

Haaland has been unmatched in the Premier League since joining the Premier League. Although he missed most of the games due to injury this season, he still scored 30 goals. However, Haaland failed to score in eight finals in the finals that he played for Manchester City, which continued his six-game zero-goal state at Wembley Stadium to this day.

The past seven penalty kicks have been lost, perhaps because of the shadow of his heart.

"It is impossible for someone to tell me, 'If we get a penalty, you don't want to take the penalty'. Whether he missed three games a season or was absent due to injury, as long as you are healthy, you should do your best to take the penalty." Former England captain Alan Shearer said, "I can't believe he turned around and said to others, 'You come and take the penalty, because I don't like it very much'."

Manchester City front defender Mica Richards said: "I know Haaland's record at Wembley is not good, but he doesn't dare to take the penalty... He is always so confident and arrogant."

Manchester United former player Henderson was like a god in this game, completing six key saves in total. The key is that Manchester City's six shots were all in the penalty area.

In the FA Cup final, Manchester City had the advantage in the opening stage. Haaland's hook shot was saved by the brave Henderson, but Crystal Palace launched a counterattack in the 16th minute, Eberec Eze hit a blow, and Crystal Palace won the game.

Crystal Palace coach Glasner, who is about to turn 51, holds the FA Cup high. He became the first Austrian head coach to lead the team to win the FA Cup, the oldest cup. In 2022, Glasner led Frankfurt to win the UEFA Cup. Xinhua News Agency reported that Manchester City players who lost

expressed their due respect to Crystal Palace, waiting for their opponents to raise the trophy and then slipped into the player's channel with their heads down.

However, Haaland still stayed on the court with a runner-up medal hanging around his neck, seemingly reflecting on why this season was so bad.

Crystal Palace players celebrated wildly at the award ceremony. Xinhua News Agency reported that on this day, Crystal Palace players were ecstatic to win the first important trophy in club history, while Haaland's compatriots were celebrating Norway's National Day, but the striker himself had nothing to cheer for.

Nanjing Daily/Zhuangshan News Editor Zhou Zhe