Erling Haaland injury update: Pep Guardiola issues Real Madrid warning
Haaland missed Manchester City’s win over Leeds less than two weeks before a huge Champions League game in Spain.
Erling Haaland looks set to recover from injury in time for the first leg of Manchester City’s Champions League round-of-16 tie against Real Madrid, Pep Guardiola suggested in a prematch press conference ahead of City’s Premier League game at home against Nottingham Forest on Wednesday.
Haaland missed the weekend victory over Leeds - the city where he was born - due to a minor knee injury sustained in training last week. However, Guardiola revealed there is a chance the Norwegian striker could return against Forest, giving him a couple of games to sharpen his finishing ahead of the March 11 clash in Madrid.
Guardiola offers cautious optimism
“He feels much better but we didn’t train yesterday. Now we have training and will decide today,” Guardiola said Tuesday when asked if Haaland would feature against Forest.
If the former Borussia Dortmund star is not risked against Forest, he would likely play in the FA Cup fifth-round game away at Newcastle on Saturday, assuming no setbacks.
Haaland’s unstoppable form
Haaland has scored 22 goals in 27 Premier League games so far this season, already matching his total from the entire last campaign. He has also netted seven times in eight Champions League appearances, including a penalty against Real Madrid in the group stage at the Bernabéu.
The Norway international has an incredible record of 56 goals in 56 Champions Leauge games, with three of those coming in six meetings against the LaLiga giants.
It looks likely he will get another chance to add to that tally when City face Madrid in Spain next week.
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