Only 1 Penalty in 8 Games! Why Has Manchester City’s Star Striker Haaland Plummeted? Has He Reached His Limit?

In the early hours of January 21, the 7th round of the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League first phase featured a high-profile clash. Manchester City, second in the Premier League, suffered a 1-3 away defeat to Bodø/Glimt, marking their second consecutive loss across all competitions. Star striker Haaland started and played the full 90 minutes but struggled again with 3 shots on goal and none on target. Since the start of 2026, he has scored only 1 penalty in 7 matches. What’s going on with the Norwegian superstar?

Haaland led the attack alongside Foden and Scherki, yet against a Bodø/Glimt starting XI valued at just €42 million, Manchester City dominated possession and shots but conceded twice in just 2 minutes in the first half. Haig’s stunning strike in the second half extended the lead to 3-0, and City could only restore some pride with Scherki’s goal.

Haaland ran 10.2 kilometers throughout the match but missed 3 shots, including 2 clear scoring opportunities. After the match, he admitted he did not know why City lost and apologized to fans. This season, Haaland has 26 goals and 4 assists in 31 appearances, but 25 goals and 4 assists came in the first 22 games. Since 2026 began, he has scored just 1 penalty in 7 matches, making it 1 goal in 8 games including the December 27 match against Nottingham Forest. From effortless goal-scoring to struggling for form, Haaland’s performance has plummeted, affecting City’s results.

The main reason is physical exhaustion. He has started all 22 Premier League games this season, averaging 87 minutes per match, and 6 starts in 7 Champions League games, averaging 75 minutes. With additional appearances in the EFL Cup and FA Cup, his 31 appearances equal the team-high alongside young Nico Orelli, but Haaland has far more starts. Standing 1.95m and weighing 94kg, his physique is both a strength and a huge energy demand. Before joining City, he suffered two serious knee injuries, and Pep Guardiola cautiously managed his minutes in the first season. In subsequent seasons, heavy workloads have led to injuries.

This season, Guardiola has relied on Haaland even more, as City lack a dependable backup striker. Egyptian forward Marmoush was out injured and at the Africa Cup of Nations, returning only for this match. Another factor is City’s tactical shift from low-block counter-attacking back to possession-based football, combined with limited individual abilities, reducing the team’s threat. In this system, Haaland feels “trapped,” making a goal drought inevitable. City and Guardiola’s priority is to prevent him from overexertion—any long-term injury could leave the club empty-handed again this season.