MANCHESTER CITY
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola gives Erling Haaland injury update ahead of Champions League
The Manchester City boss spoke about his Norwegian striker ahead of the Champions League game against Young Boys.
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has given an update on the fitness of Erling Haaland, saying he “feels better” after being taken off at half-time in the win over Bournemouth due to a twisted ankle.
The Norwegian is currently leading the Premier League top scorers chart, with 11 goals after as many games. City face Young Boys in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday.
We train this afternoon so I don’t know,” said Guardiola. “Yesterday he told me he feels much better than on the day of the game but I don’t know [if he will train].”
‘If he says he is ready and does not have pain I will consider him’
Guardiola admitted that the decision is not yet made as to whether or not the forward, who scored 52 goals in 53 games last season as Manchester City won the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League, will feature in the squad. “I will listen to the doctors”, said the manager. “If he says he is ready and does not have pain I will consider him to play. Because Tuesday to Sunday there’s a lot [of time to recover], it is not Wednesday.
A decision has been made on who would potentially replace Haaland should doctors deem him not match-fit, with Guardiola saying that “right now if Erling can’t play, Julian [Alvarez] will play there. Julian is quite good! I like him arriving as a striker and he can play both so we’re really pleased.”
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City ready for Champions League test
Manchester City are top of the Premier League with 27 points from 11 games, but will go second on Monday should Tottenham get a victory over Chelsea in the game at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
During the week, as mentioned, City themselves have another task in hand as they take on Swiss side Young Boys at the Etihad Stadium. Guardiola’s side have a 100% record in the Champions League this season, having beaten every team in their group with an average of 3 scored per match. “Tomorrow we will try to finish and qualify for February and the next stage”, said Guardiola.
“It means a lot to the club, from Pelligrini’s side and Mancini’s, for many years to qualify so many times. Being there is a success.”
“We try to be calm and review the game [vs Young Boys]”, he continued, “we struggled after 1-1. Every time we lose the ball they counter attack really well. They link well with the strikers. Hopefully we can finish the job.”