- Erling Haaland was absent from Man City’s FA Cup squad against Leyton Orient.
- Pep Guardiola opted to rest the Norwegian striker ahead of the Real Madrid showdown.
- Haaland is expected to be fully fit for Tuesday’s Champions League clash.
Why Was Haaland Absent?
Manchester City narrowly defeated League One side Leyton Orient 2-1 in the FA Cup fourth round on Saturday. However, Erling Haaland was not included in the squad, leading to speculation about his availability for the upcoming Champions League clash against Real Madrid on Tuesday.
Pep Guardiola made eight changes from the team that suffered a 5-1 defeat to Arsenal in the Premier League, opting to rotate his squad to preserve key players ahead of the European tie. While some first-team regulars, including Ruben Dias, Jack Grealish, and Ilkay Gundogan, were included in the lineup, others such as Kevin De Bruyne, Phil Foden, John Stones, and Bernardo Silva were only named on the bench.
Haaland, however, was completely left out of the squad, disappointing many fans who had hoped to see him in action.
What Did Man City Say?
Manchester City released a statement on their official website, confirming that Haaland was given a well-deserved rest due to his high workload this season.
The Norwegian striker has already played 33 matches this campaign, accumulating 2,899 minutes on the pitch across all competitions. Guardiola decided to give him a break to ensure he is in peak condition for the crucial Champions League fixture.
Did Man City Struggle Without Haaland?
City struggled offensively in Haaland’s absence, and their difficulties increased when Leyton Orient took a surprise lead through a stunning long-range effort from Jamie Donley in the 16th minute.
Despite equalizing through a fortunate deflection off Abdukodir Khusanov, City lacked their usual attacking sharpness. Guardiola had to bring on Kevin De Bruyne and Phil Foden in the second half to change the game. De Bruyne eventually scored the winning goal with a smart finish after a brilliant pass from Jack Grealish.
What’s Next for Man City?
Manchester City now turn their focus to Real Madrid, who they will host at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday, February 11, in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie. The return leg will take place at the Santiago Bernabéu on February 19.
With Haaland well-rested, Guardiola’s side will be aiming for a strong performance against the Spanish giants. The Norwegian striker is expected to return to the starting lineup, giving City a major boost as they seek to gain an advantage before the second leg in Madrid.
