Man City boss Guardiola reveals why Haaland ‘asked’ to come off vs Real Madrid – ‘felt something’

Pep Guardiola

Manchester City leading goalscorer Erling Haaland is a doubt for his side’s FA Cup semi-final against Chelsea on Saturday, Pep Guardiola has revealed.

The Norwegian striker was surprisingly substituted before extra time of the Champions League quarter-final loss to Real Madrid on Wednesday. Man City ended up losing 4-3 on penalties after the two sides drew 4-4 on aggregate.

Manager Guardiola revealed after the match that Haaland, Kevin De Bruyne and Manuel Akanji “asked” to be withdrawn but did not give a reason why.

Speaking on Friday, Guardiola confirmed the forward had suffered an injury but still gave little indication as to how serious.

Haaland is a doubt for Chelsea…

Guardiola said at a press conference: “We will see. It was a tough game, a lot of action, high intensity for both sides.

“Erling felt something, a muscular issue. That’s why he told me he could not continue.

“The (doctor) said he had a little bit of niggles, a little problem, we will see how his evolution is in the next hours.”

In a more positive update, Guardiola confirmed playmaker Kevin De Bruyne “feels well” having been taken off during extra time against Real for nothing more serious than exhaustion.

Guardiola feels, given the schedule, it is understandable that players would be tired at this stage of the season.

He said: “It’s normal with the amount of games we are playing this season and the previous seasons and not much recovery, and extra time and high intensity.

“We put a lot of pressure in our game and that’s why the fatigue is there. They are human beings. They are not a machine. We are used to it.”

The agonising penalty shoot-out defeat by Real ended City’s hopes of winning the treble for a second season in succession.

Yet they remain on course to repeat the domestic double and Guardiola is determined to bounce back from the midweek heartache.

He said: “We don’t have another option. I don’t want us to feel sorry for ourselves.

“In football, you lose games. We performed at our best and we were not able to win. You have to accept it.

“We did everything. We know it, they know it, all the world know it, but it was not enough. When it’s not enough, it’s bad night.

“So congratulations (to Real) and, tomorrow, FA Cup.”