Gernot Trauner has set the tone in the run-up to the Champions League match between Feyenoord and Manchester City at the end of November. The Feyenoord defender achieved a big victory over Norway with Austria (5-1) and played Erling Haaland out of the match for the opponent. Manchester City’s super striker had a mediocre match and that was attributed to Trauner afterwards.
Austrian national coach Ralf Rangnick saw Haaland become dangerous in the early stages, but was then stoically neutralized by Trauner. “You can only tip your hat to that,” said Rangnick. Not only was the national coach delighted with the performance of the 32-year-old Feyenoord player, the media also noticed.
“The central defender was also not impressed with superstar Haaland,” reports Small newspaper in the sports section about Trauner. The Austrian medium saw that the Norwegian top striker received little support from his fellow players. “Trauner almost never really had to prove himself to the people around him.”
Also the Austrian Radio saw a strong performance from Feyenoord’s central defender. ”The Linz resident was a tower of strength in his home base, where he outpaced Haaland in a sprint duel. Trauner countered the superstar’s pace with routine. Trauner was not to blame for the 78th minute, after which the 32-year-old was substituted amid the cheers of his compatriots from Linz.”
Trauner and Haaland will meet again on Tuesday, November 26. Manchester City will then host Feyenoord at its own Etihad Stadium in Manchester in the Champions League tournament.
