Pep Guardiola responds to concerning Erling Haaland footage with pointed demand
Pep Guardiola has responded to footage of Erling Haaland seemingly picking up an injury during Manchester City training amid an intense schedule for the Premier League champions
by Tom Victor · The MirrorManchester City manager Pep Guardiola has suggested Erling Haaland might need a rest during the international break after footage emerged showing the Norway striker going down in training.
Haaland was one of only a handful of City players fit to face Bournemouth on Saturday as Guardiola deals with an injury crisis. Inexperienced youngsters Jacob Wright, Jahmal Simpson-Pusey and Nico O'Reilly were among the substitutes as the reigning Premier League champions lost their unbeaten record in the competition.
City are up against Sporting CP in the Champions League on Tuesday, with a Premier League match against Brighton to follow on Saturday. They were handed a worry in the lead-up to the first of those matches as Haaland went down holding his right leg, having also suffered an injury scare at Bournemouth over the weekend.
Guardiola insisted the striker is fit to face Sporting, but it's not just at club level where Haaland has a busy schedule. He's due to play for Stale Solbakken's Norway, who have matches against Slovenia and Kazakhstan on the horizon as they chase UEFA Nations League promotion.
"I don't think so," Guardiola told reporters when asked if Haaland was in need of a break. "Maybe international games he can rest...”
Guardiola admitted things have been tough for his side, especially with long-term injuries for Rodri and Oscar Bobb. Some of his players have returned to contention, with Jeremy Doku coming off the bench on Saturday and Kevin De Bruyne returning to the matchday squad, but some challenges remain.
"Oscar [Bobb] was the most important player in pre-season and was injured, and we miss him a lot,” the Catalan said. "Jack [Grealish] is not still fit, some problems. You know the situation for Rodri - the best player in the world - he's not here for the rest of the season.
"When that happens, we know that we are going to struggle. And that is the point, to be able to accept that we are going to struggle, and it's fine, it's really fine."
Does Erling Haaland need a rest? Have your say in the comments section
Norway sit top of their Nations League group with two games remaining, though they're one of three teams locked on seven points. Haaland scored twice in a victory at home to Slovenia in the October break, but Solbakken's team were then beaten 5-1 by Austria.
They were without captain Martin Odegaard for the October games, after the Arsenal star was injured playing at home to Austria the previous month. However, Solbakken has suggested the former Real Madrid star could be in contention to return in November.
"Everything indicates that (Odegaard's injury) is going according to plan, then it is about the last steps when you are going to train with opponents and at team training," Solbakken told Norwegian outlet Verdens Gang in October. "It depends on how he responds to it, but we have a justified hope that he is ready."
Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read ourPrivacy Notice.
This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
Sky Sports deal
Sky Sports launches discounted Premier League package
£46 (was £56)
Sky has slashed the price of its Sky Sports, Sky Stream, Sky TV and Netflix bundle in an unbeatable new deal that saves £240 and includes 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.