Manchester City’s attacking superstars, Erling Haaland, Jack Grealish, Phil Foden, and Ilkay Gundogan, are no strangers to the high-pressure situations that come with top-flight football. However, when it comes to penalties, even the best seem to have their struggles. Recently, the team’s star players took to the training ground to perfect their penalty-taking skills, but the results were anything but smooth sailing. The practice session, which was meant to hone their finishing from the spot, instead saw the likes of Haaland, Grealish, Foden, and Gundogan face a barrage of misses, misfires, and moments of frustration.
In a sport as precise and mentally taxing as football, a penalty kick can often feel like the most isolating moment on the pitch. It’s just you, the ball, the keeper, and the goal. No team camaraderie, no assistance — just the weight of the game on your shoulders. For a club like Manchester City, with a wealth of attacking talent, it might seem surprising that this crucial skill hasn’t been perfected across the board. After all, they’ve made a name for themselves not just through dazzling build-up play, but also in moments that require coolness under pressure.
Haaland: The Big Norwegian in the Spotlight
Erling Haaland, City’s prodigious goal scorer, is known for his powerful and precise finishing. The Norwegian striker has been almost unstoppable in front of goal this season, scoring at will in the Premier League and Champions League. With his towering figure and remarkable athleticism, Haaland is the epitome of a modern-day striker. Yet, when it comes to penalties, even he isn’t immune to the nerves that plague so many in high-stakes moments.
During the penalty practice, Haaland’s usually unflappable composure seemed to falter. While his strike rate from open play is outstanding, his ability to convert from 12 yards was put to the test. On more than one occasion, Haaland’s powerful strikes either flew over the bar or were saved by the keeper. For a man with such an impressive goal-scoring record, these misses raised eyebrows and prompted questions about his consistency from the penalty spot.
The 23-year-old has, of course, scored a number of penalties in his career, but this practice session revealed a vulnerability in his game that many might not expect. It’s a common theme among some of the world’s best players — even those with immense talent can struggle with the mental aspect of penalty taking. Whether it’s the added pressure of being the man to convert in front of thousands of watching eyes, or simply the unpredictable nature of a penalty shootout, Haaland’s performance in practice was a reminder that not even the world’s top strikers are immune to the occasional miss.
Grealish: The Flair of the Left Foot Not Enough to Seal the Deal
Jack Grealish, one of Manchester City’s most skillful and creative players, is known for his flair, vision, and dribbling abilities. His ability to glide past defenders with ease and pick out pinpoint passes has made him a fan favorite at the Etihad. However, when the ball was placed on the penalty spot during the session, Grealish’s usually effortless technique was nowhere to be found.
Despite his dribbling prowess and the creativity that defines his game, Grealish struggled to find the back of the net from 12 yards. Time and again, the Englishman’s attempts either lacked the necessary power or accuracy, and the goalkeeper was able to get a hand on the ball or make a save. His frustration was evident as he tried to adjust his technique, but the results remained the same.
While Grealish has had an impressive career, this penalty practice session was a stark reminder that even the most technically gifted players can struggle in situations where precision and composure are paramount. The nature of penalty kicks means that even a slight miscalculation can result in a miss, and Grealish found himself on the wrong side of that equation more than once during the session.
Foden: Youthful Promise Meets the Reality of Pressure
Phil Foden, one of the brightest young talents in English football, has already made a name for himself as a versatile and dynamic attacker for both Manchester City and the England national team. His pace, vision, and ability to score from a variety of positions have already seen him compared to some of the game’s greats. However, when Foden stepped up to take his penalties during the practice session, it was clear that there was still work to be done.
The 24-year-old was unable to convert the majority of his penalty attempts, showing the vulnerability that comes with being young and still developing under pressure. While his natural ability shines through in almost every aspect of the game, Foden found the mental and physical demands of penalty-taking more difficult to manage than he may have anticipated. He wasn’t alone in this struggle, as many young players who are thrust into the spotlight of top-tier football find themselves unable to execute under the intense pressure of a penalty shootout.
It’s important to remember that Foden is still in the early stages of his career, and these moments of struggle are often part of the learning process. The fact that he is already at such a high level at his age speaks volumes about his potential, but there’s no denying that penalty-taking is an area where he, like many of his peers, will need to improve.
Gundogan: The Experienced Midfielder Faces Frustration
Ilkay Gundogan, one of the most experienced players in Manchester City’s squad, is known for his calm demeanor, technical ability, and leadership on the pitch. The German midfielder has earned a reputation as a reliable presence in City’s midfield, and his ability to score important goals has made him an invaluable asset for Pep Guardiola’s side. However, even with his wealth of experience, Gundogan wasn’t immune to the pressure of a penalty practice session that seemed to test the nerves of all involved.
Though Gundogan has taken — and scored — his fair share of penalties throughout his career, the practice session highlighted the unpredictable nature of the situation. His attempts were not without merit, but like his teammates, he too found himself missing or seeing his efforts thwarted by the goalkeeper. For a player of Gundogan’s caliber, this was an unusual and somewhat surprising turn of events.
Despite his impeccable technical skills, Gundogan found himself in the same boat as the rest of the squad: struggling to convert from the penalty spot. The mental side of the game, particularly when it comes to the high-stakes nature of penalties, proved to be a stumbling block for the experienced midfielder as well.
What This Means for Manchester City
So, what does this mean for Manchester City moving forward? While this penalty practice session was certainly eye-opening, it’s important to remember that it was, after all, just a practice session. Penalty-taking is as much about mentality as it is about technique, and the players who struggled on the day will undoubtedly be working hard to perfect their skills from the spot.
For Pep Guardiola, this session may serve as a reminder that penalty-taking is an area where his side can improve. While City’s attacking play is often devastating, and their ability to score from open play is second to none, the team has yet to fully demonstrate the cool-headedness and precision required in penalty shootouts.
This could be a key area of focus as Manchester City enters the business end of the season, where penalties could make the difference in cup finals, league title races, or even Champions League showdowns. With Haaland, Grealish, Foden, and Gundogan all on the books, City certainly has the talent to excel from the penalty spot — but whether they can all find their composure under pressure remains to be seen.
The Mental Game of Penalties
Ultimately, the most important takeaway from this session is the mental aspect of penalty-taking. It’s a pressure-packed moment where a player’s composure is tested, and even the most skilled can falter. For Haaland, Grealish, Foden, and Gundogan, this practice session will serve as a valuable learning experience. Penalty practice is an ongoing process, and even the best players know that there’s always room for improvement.
As Manchester City continues its pursuit of silverware this season, it’s clear that the team will need to master every aspect of the game, including the penalty spot. Only time will tell if the likes of Haaland, Grealish, Foden, and Gundogan can overcome their struggles and become the clinical penalty takers that City needs to go all the way.
