Francesco Acerbi was seen joking with Erling Haaland after the final whistle of Inter’s 0-0 draw with Manchester City, but a statistic irritated the striker.
The Norway international had scored nine goals in four Premier League games this season and was hoping to today find his 100th goal in the Manchester City jersey.
However, he was allowed only 14 touches in the entire match, marked out of the game by Alessandro Bastoni and Acerbi.
At the final whistle, the 36-year-old was spotted joking with Haaland and lip-readers noted he said: “Two games, zero goals.”
This was referring to the other time they had faced off in the 2023 Champions League Final in Istanbul, which was decided by a Rodri goal.
Haaland’s response was said with a laugh, but still had to be bleeped out for family audiences.
Acerbi teases Haaland after Inter frustrate Manchester City
Francesco Acerbi wanted not one, but two shirts off Erling Haaland after the game 🤣👕
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/Y0suFRk8Sb
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) September 18, 2024
Man-marking Erling Haaland even after the final whistle 😅#BBCFootball #UCLpic.twitter.com/s9vvieHmtN
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) September 18, 2024