Pep Guardiola Rules Erling Haaland Out of Next Two Games, Hopes for Club World Cup Return
Guardiola Provides Injury Update on Erling Haaland
Pep Guardiola, the manager of Manchester City, has confirmed that Erling Haaland will be sidelined for the team’s next two games due to injury. However, Guardiola remains hopeful that Haaland will recover in time for the Club World Cup.
Haaland’s Absence in Luton Town Match
Haaland’s absence in Manchester City’s recent match against Luton Town came as a surprise to fans and pundits. Guardiola revealed before the game that the prolific striker had picked up a foot injury.
Despite Haaland’s absence, Manchester City managed to come from behind and secure a 2-1 victory against Luton Town. This win ended their four-game winless streak but leaves them in fourth place in the Premier League standings, four points behind leaders Liverpool.
Guardiola’s Hope for Haaland’s Recovery
When asked about Haaland’s fitness after the match, Guardiola stated that they are uncertain about the extent of the injury. He mentioned that it is a foot injury and they will assess his condition day by day and week by week. Guardiola expressed his hope that Haaland will be able to recover in time for the Club World Cup.
Upcoming Matches and Club World Cup
Manchester City will face Red Star Belgrade in a Champions League match on Wednesday before hosting Crystal Palace in their final Premier League game before the Club World Cup. The team will then travel to Saudi Arabia for the semi-final stage of the competition on December 19th, followed by either the final or the third-place playoff on December 22nd.
Guardiola’s Optimism for Haaland’s Return
In his post-match press conference, Guardiola expressed optimism about Haaland’s potential participation in the Club World Cup. He clarified that the injury is related to stress on the bone and not a broken foot. Guardiola believes Haaland was not ready for the Luton Town match and may also miss the Crystal Palace game. However, he hopes that Haaland will recover in time for the tournament in Saudi Arabia.
Haaland’s Impressive Performance
Erling Haaland, who finished as the runner-up for the 2023 Ballon d’Or, currently leads the Premier League Golden Boot race with 14 goals in 15 games. Across all competitions, he has scored 19 goals in 22 appearances.
Jack Grealish, City’s match winner against Luton, praised Haaland’s abilities and highlighted his strength and pace as assets that make him difficult to defend against.
Stay Updated with Metro Sport
For more news and updates on sports, visit our sport page. Follow Metro Sport on Facebook, Twitter, and