Pep Guardiola Reveals ‘Three’ Concerns About Erling Haaland’s Fitness As The City Striker Came-Off At Half-Time Against Dortmund

Oct 26, 2022 at 9:17 PM

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Pep Guardiola Reveals ‘Three’ Concerns About Erling Haaland’s Fitness As The City Striker Came-Off At Half-Time Against Dortmund

Manchester City were held to a frustrating 0-0 draw by Borussia Dortmund at home in their Champions League showdown, as Erling Haaland’s return to Signal Iduna Park ended prematurely after he was subbed-off during the half-time. The defending Premier League champions could have come home with all three points, only for Riyad Mahrez to miss a penalty just before the hour mark. While City did secure their qualification to the Round of 16, the headlines were grabbed by Haaland who came-off injured, giving the away fans a scare.

Erling Haaland has been in some staggering form since making his blockbuster switch from Dortmund to City this summer for a mere £54 million. After two years of goals galore in Germany where he racked up 86 goals in 89 games in all competitions, the striker has continued his exploits in England. Haaland has so far smashed in 22 goals in just 16 games for City, playing over 1000 minutes of football. However, his fatigue is now showing as Guardiola revealed the exact ‘reasons’ why his striker was taken-off.

Erling Haaland
Erling Haaland was taken-off during the half-time against Dortmund as he was unable to complete the full 90 minutes. Credits: Twitter

Erling Haaland gives City and Guardiola fitness scare

Erling Haaland has started 16 of City’s 15 games in all competition as Guardiola has seemingly been ruthless in deploying his striker upfront. The major reason behind this has been the English club lacking a proper No.9 back-up, with the 22-year-old Argentine Julian Alvarez being the only other option, however without any prior European experience. Moreover, Haaland is the only senior player among the City team who will not be participating in the World Cup next month since his Norway failed to qualify, which further meant Guardiola won’t hesitate in starting him week-in-week-out.

However, the 22-year-old’s fitness concerns are now showing as fatigue has taken a toll over him. Haaland was forced-off during the half-time against his former team in their Champions League clash, as he looked worn out and couldn’t complete the next 45 minutes. With the City fans desperate to know what exactly happened to their star striker who has accumulated 17 goals in just 11 league outings this season, Guardiola assessed the situation in his post-match presser. The Spaniard said:

“[There were] three things. I saw him so tired. Second one, he had a little bit of influenza in his body. Then the third, he had a knock on his foot. That’s why he was not able to play in the second half. I spoke with [the medical staff] at half-time and they were a little bit concerned, but I saw him walking more or less normally. We will see.”

The news is certainly concerning for Guardiola as well as City fans given too many issues have caught up with Erling Haaland. The tiredness is justified as a result of his 15 starts in 16 games, and over 1000 minutes of football across those appearances. But the influenza and a knock he sustained in the first-half will need further tests to determine whether or not the Norwegian will feature against Leicester City in the league this weekend.

Erling Haaland
City manager Pep Guardiola issued an update on the fitness of Erling Haaland post the Champions League game. Credits: Twitter

Haaland has known to be prone to injuries despite his robust goal-scoring attributes. At just 22, he has already sustained a number of injuries in knee problems, muscular tears and problems with hip flexor across his stints with Dortmund, Salzburg and Molde. Last season at Dortmund as well, he missed over three months of football and 16 games due to injuries. Talking about keeping him fit throughout the World Cup period where he won’t be playing, Guardiola had said before the trip to Dortmund:

“He [Erling Haaland] will be in Marbella or Norway. How perfect he will be [post the World Cup period] depends on how he behaves in Marbella. He has a house there. He will play golf, hopefully not eat much and drink much! It’s the first time in our lives it [a World Cup mid-season] will happen so we don’t know how the players will come back. If they are champion they will be really positive. Or the guys knocked out might have more holidays.”

Guardiola will be now waiting for further assessment of his prolific striker as it will tell decide his involvement in the next game. Meanwhile, after locking in a knockout berth in the Champions League, City return to Premier League with a trip to East Midlands as they take on Leicester City.

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