What Pep Guardiola wants from his Man City attackers amid Erling Haaland struggles - 'Guts and nose'

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Manchester City striker Erling Haaland has scored just four goals in 2026 and Pep Guardiola wants more from his attacking players.

Pep Guardiola knows Erling Haaland is the best striker in the world - but he still wants more from the Manchester City frontman and his teammates in the box.

Haaland has scored just four goals in 16 games in 2026 and has at times looked isolated and fatigued. Against Real Madrid in midweek he was quiet and was replaced in the closing stages as City were beaten 3-0.

"Of course he needs goals, the team needs it and he needs it. We have to find him more," said Guardiola of the Norwegian. But the Blues boss also wants Haaland, and his teammates, to sniff out more goals.

Guardiola felt his side were impressive in the opening quarter in Madrid, creating several situations with balls into the box, most notably from Jeremy Doku. But time and again there were no attackers on the receiving end to apply the finishing touch and it is something the City boss wants improved.

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"They have to move better. The players in the box have to make a movement before the pass, to smell where the ball will go," Guardiola said. "You make a movement, beat your man before the ball (is played) and you will score.

"It’s guts and nose, that is the question for them – that is all. We arrived and we did in the second half. We insist. Insist. Make a movement. Why did Savinho score at Newcastle? Matheus (Nunes) is the full back and is in front of the goal, (Lewis) Hall has to mark him, so Savinho is alone. If Matheus is not there, Hall makes a clearance and Savinho doesn’t score."

Guardiola has been impressed with Antoine Semenyo's instincts inside the box since his mid-season arrival from Bournemouth. The 26-year-old has seven goals in 11 starts since moving to Manchester and plenty have been as a result of being in the right place at the right time inside the penalty area.

"That’s why Antoine is really, really good," Guardiola added: "You see the goal at Leeds? The cross from Antoine, that’s why I love playing Antoine there, to try and make a threat in behind. Nico O’Reilly, the cross and the header at the near post… he loves to arrive in the box. And Erling is the number one in the world in that position.

"We have two wingers who make good movements. We drop Bernardo to play and he arrives in the box three or four times. But we needed that moment. Real defended really well. Real are the masters to defend.

"It’s a question to improve, improve, improve and maybe next time will be better."