Guardiola Explains Haaland’s Absence Against Real Madrid

19.02.25 FT Champions League

Real Madrid

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Manchester City

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Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has revealed that Erling Haaland was not fit enough to start against Real Madrid in the Champions League knockout playoff on Wednesday, February 19, 2025.

City entered the second leg at the Santiago Bernabéu trailing 3-2 on aggregate, after Jude Bellingham secured a first-leg victory for Madrid at the Etihad. Haaland had scored both goals for City in that match, but Guardiola opted to start him on the bench.

Speaking to TNT Sports before kick-off, Guardiola explained: "Erling was close, but not ready enough to start. He trained a little yesterday, but this morning, he told us he wasn’t feeling right. So, we had to make a decision."

Despite missing out on the starting XI, Haaland was included in the match squad alongside Jack Grealish, who was also a fitness doubt.

With Haaland benched, Bernardo Silva was brought into the starting lineup, giving Guardiola multiple attacking options. January signing Omar Marmoush, who scored a hat-trick against Newcastle last weekend, was expected to take Haaland’s place as the central striker.

Another surprise in City’s lineup was the absence of Kevin De Bruyne, fueling speculation about his future. The Belgian playmaker, who is out of contract at the end of the season, has been linked with a move to Saudi Arabia.

Manchester City must now overcome a 3-2 deficit at the Bernabéu to avoid their earliest Champions League exit since 2013. Guardiola admitted:
“We need to play a near-perfect game to go through. We must attack and score goals while showing courage.”

Khaled Hegazy |

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Journaliste sportif spécialisé dans la couverture du football et la création de contenu numérique, alliant expérience éditoriale et expertise des médias sociaux.

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