Erling Haaland has brushed off concerns about his form ahead of the Champions League final on Saturday. Haaland has scored 52 goals in an astonishing first season for Manchester City but grabbed only one in his last seven appearances. Coming just prior to one of the biggest games in City’s history, as they take on Inter Milan in Istanbul for Europe’s top prize, it is a run that has raised eyebrows. Yet Haaland insists there is nothing to worry about and he is not feeling the effects of a long and arduous season. You can think of it as one goal in seven games or 52 goals in 52 games. Erling Haaland “You can think of it as one goal in seven games or 52 goals in 52 games and eight assists,” said the Norway striker. “You can think of it in both ways. I’m not stressed. I feel really good.” Haaland has had no trouble dismissing critics this season. Prior to his arrival at City last summer there were claims he would need time to settle, suggestions that only increased after he spurned a gilt-edged chance on debut against Liverpool in the Community Shield. Even after he bounced back in sensational style by scoring 27 goals before the end of December, it was reckoned his presence could be hampering City, as their results at that stage were inconsistent. “I think often it’s a good thing when people start criticising you,” he said. “I scored every single game and then people started criticising me. That’s what happened basically. “When people criticise you it’s normally a good thing. It’s just about trying to smile a bit and enjoy life. “In the Community Shield I missed a couple of big chances. It can happen, it will happen again. “What can you do? Nothing. We have to focus on the next thing, the next game and that’s what I did. I scored two goals in the next game, so it was still not a bad start.” Haaland feels he has exceeded his own expectations in his first season at City but still feels he could have done better. He said: “No, I didn’t expect to score this many goals but, again, I could have scored more. “I’ve been missing a lot of chances, so I could have scored more. That’s the truth.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live FA and PFA study finds increased dementia risk in ex-footballers Naby Keita joins Werder Bremen after leaving Liverpool Georgia Hall hopes Ryann O’Toole relationship helps others be true to themselves

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The 2022/23 campaign has barely finished and Luton Town’s fans’ celebrations probably haven’t yet fully finished - but already it’s time to look ahead at the new English Football League campaign and the three EFL divisions. In the Championship, Leeds United will be among the front-runners after their relegation, down from the top flight along with Southampton and Leicester City. They’ll be joined by returning faces to the second tier, with Ipswich Town promoted from League One alongside Sheffield Wednesday and Plymouth - who clocked up a massive 101 points last term. Further down the league ladder, all eyes will be on Wrexham as they make a return to League Two, under the ownership of Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney. Each of those 72 clubs will find out their fixtures for the 2023/24 season later this month, while we already have dates for the EFL Cup and the play-off finals too. Here’s all the information you need to know. When are the EFL fixtures released? The fixtures for the 2023/24 EFL season, covering the Championship, League One and League Two, will be released on Thursday 22 June. All fixtures will be confirmed at once. What is the schedule for the 2023/24 season? As usual, the EFL calendar begins a week before the Premier League season does, with the three football leagues carrying more clubs in them and thus needing more time to fit in additional matches. The regular seasons will begin on Saturday 5 August 2023 and are due to finish by Sunday 5 May or Sunday 12 May 2024. Then it’s on to the play-offs in each of the three leagues, with the play-off final dates set as follows: League One Play-Off Final - Saturday 18 May 2024 League Two Play-Off Final - Sunday 19 May 2024 Championship Play-Off Final - Sunday 26 May 2024 What about the EFL Cup? Fans of lower-league teams always have hope for silverware in any given campaign, thanks to the EFL Cup. This season the dates for games and an eight-match run to Wembley are as follows: EFL Trophy Group Stage MD 1 - w/c 4 September 2023 EFL Trophy Group Stage MD 2 - w/c 9 October 2023 EFL Trophy Group Stage MD 3 - w/c 11 November 2023 EFL Trophy Round of 32 - w/c 4 December 2023 EFL Trophy Round of 16 - w/c 8 January 2024 EFL Trophy Quarter-Final - w/c 29 January 2024 EFL Trophy Semi-Final - w/c 19 February 2024 EFL Trophy Final - Sunday 7 April 2024 The Carabao Cup, also known as the League Cup, is also an EFL-run competition. The full schedule for that competition can be found here. Read More 2023/24 fixtures revealed for Championship as Saints start Sheff Weds Leicester confirm Pep Guardiola’s assistant as surprise new manager Liverpool loan out young defender Ramsay after injury-hit debut season Full fixture list for League Two’s opening day Full fixture list for League One’s opening day Carabao Cup 2023/24 fixture dates and schedule revealed

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