Esteve hopes for Champions League debut and Haaland reunion

Esteve is hoping to make his Champions League debut and face Haaland again. The defender was on the bench for his side’s first two games in the competition, but is eager to play. “It was always a dream to play for a Champions League club,” he says. He reflects on how far he has come: “Five years ago, when I was a young kid at Montpellier, my former club, I would have given anything to be in this situation now, even if you do not always get the playing time you want.”

The prospect of meeting Manchester City again brings back painful memories for Maxime Esteve: last year, he scored two own goals at the Etihad Stadium. He has not told his new teammates about the episode. “Maybe they don’t even know,” he jokes. Then, in a playful aside, he adds: “This is a secret. You don’t have to say!”

Those own goals do not erase, in his view, his performance for Burnley. Esteve stresses how unlucky the second one was: “I remember the second was really, really unlucky.” He also describes the support he received afterwards. At a meeting the following Monday, his conversation partner told him it was “nothing” and showed him the good things he had done in the game. That helped restore his confidence, despite a painful memory he sees as part of football.

Haaland is also on his mind ahead of the reunion. Although Esteve recognises Harry Kane’s recent Ballon d’Or win, he considers Haaland the best. “The best striker I have played against,” he says. He notes that he has played only two games against him, yet considers him perhaps the best in the world: powerful, quick and formidable in the air.

The defender describes a player who can adapt to his opponent and may be less involved in the game, yet remains dangerous at any moment. He points to Haaland’s runs to the far post and his ability to find positions from which to finish. Studying an opponent’s speed can also help a defence decide how high to hold its line, he explains. “It is small details.”

For now, Esteve wants to take his opportunity. He says he understands the competition for places at a bigger club and is being patient as he settles into a new league, club and culture. The objective, he says, is to qualify for the Champions League every season; for now, he wants to play in it. “If I get this opportunity to play, I will be the happiest person in the world.”