Man City Injury Update: Guardiola on Erling Haaland’s Condition

Man City head coach Pep Guardiola has provided an update on Erling Haaland’s injury from their friendly match against Barcelona on Tuesday.

He revealed that Erling Haaland experienced some “niggles” during the pre-season game.

The Scandinavian sensation Erling Haaland once again graced the starting XI in Manchester City’s clash with the Catalan giantsin the USA, having already made his mark against Celtic and AC Milan.

Haaland found the net in both of City’s opening friendly matches, but he struggled to leave an impact in the first half against Barcelona, who led 2-1 at halftime in Orlando.

Goals from Pau Victor and Pablo Torre, sandwiching a strike from Nico O’Reilly, gave Hansi Flick’s side a narrow lead.

Jack Grealish later equalized for the Citizens, but Guardiola’s men fell short in the ensuing penalty shootout.

Erling Haaland, who had a seemingly legitimate goal disallowed, was substituted at halftime for Maximo Perrone in one of two early changes, the other being a goalkeeper switch between Stefan Ortega and Ederson.

Even though it was just a pre-season match, Haaland’s early exit sparked some concern.

Guardiola later confirmed that the 24-year-old was experiencing some muscular issues.

“He got some niggles. He didn’t feel good. He is disturbing something, doesn’t feel comfortable, we don’t want to take risks.”

“Sixty, seventy per cent of the squad are on holiday. At the same time, we have alternatives, Oscar [Bobb] makes an incredible job. We’re pleased with many things.”

Though Erling Haaland seemingly had a clear goal unfairly disallowed, 19-year-old Nico O’Reilly seized his moment to shine, much to Guardiola’s delight.

Peo Guardiola was impressed by his performance and had this to say about the young talent:

“He was injured, he had a long injury last season. He comes back, in middle of last season he trains with us, and I said ‘Wow, this guy is big.’ Normally all the academy players are little Oscar Bobb’s,” Guardiola added on O’Reilly.

“He is good in the header, so strong in the duels. In attacking midfield you will see him arrive in the positions – holding midfielder, attacking midfielder. From the academy, we are blessed to have these players.

“They have to compete with the other guys, the young players push the older guys. They are hungry, starving. They want to be football players and show they are there.”

Labeling Erling Haaland’s injury concern against Barcelona as just a ‘niggle’, Guardiola reassured Man City fans that the Norwegian star is unlikely to miss the start of the new Premier League season.

However, it wouldn’t be surprising if Guardiola opts to rest Haaland for Man City’s final pre-season match against Chelsea on August 3, just a week before their Community Shield clash with Manchester United.

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