Haaland’s Fitness in the Spotlight as Man City Prepares for Lisbon Clash
As Manchester City gears up for their pivotal clash in the Portuguese capital, they faced an unexpected scare during Monday’s training when star striker Erling Haaland went down, clutching his shin. However, any concerns about his availability for the match have been swiftly put to rest.
Guardiola Assures Fans: Haaland is Ready to Go
In a reassuring update, manager Pep Guardiola confirmed that Haaland is among the 22 players making the journey for Tuesday’s Champions League showdown. “He’s fine,” Guardiola stated, addressing the media. “We have to occupy the news for 24 hours; we have to make the news as much as possible. That’s the reason why.” With Haaland fit and ready, City fans can expect to see him spearheading their attack as they aim to extend their unbeaten run in the tournament.
Haaland, who has already made his mark by scoring against Slovan Bratislava and netting a brace against Sparta Prague, will be chasing goals in what could be his third consecutive European match with a strike.
Injury Concerns Linger for Guardiola
While the news surrounding Haaland is promising, Guardiola still grapples with a lengthy injury list that could impact his squad’s depth. “Manu and Nathan are still with problems,” he acknowledged, detailing the ongoing fitness struggles. On a brighter note, he added, “Kevin is getting better; he’s having sessions with less and less pain, so we feel that he feels more comfortable. That is good news for all of us.”
Unfortunately, the injury woes don’t end there. Kyle Walker has been nursing knee issues sustained while on international duty, and winger Jeremy Doku is also sidelined with muscular problems. The absence of key players like John Stones, Ruben Dias, Jack Grealish, Oscar Bobb, and Rodri further complicates Guardiola’s tactical options.
As City prepares for their critical Champions League fixture, the manager will be hoping for a blend of resilience and skill from his remaining squad, with Haaland set to take center stage.
