As a result, in Manchester City’s recent friendlies against AC Milan and Barcelona, the prolific scorer was taken off at halftime, whereas his teammates played for longer periods. With just over two weeks left before the new Premier League season begins, manager Guardiola has expressed concerns about the Norwegian international’s injuries.
**Pep Guardiola’s Comment**
After the 2-2 draw with Barcelona, Guardiola remarked, “Erling feels uncomfortable. We want to avoid taking any risks. However, he will need to engage in training and gain match fitness soon. With the season starting, we don’t want to risk having him sidelined for three weeks or a month due to muscle issues, as that could be problematic.”
He didn’t play in the second half because he wasn’t feeling well. With sixty to seventy percent of the team currently on vacation, we need available players. Fortunately, we have other options, and Oscar [Bobb] performed excellently once again. There are many reasons for us to be pleased.
**The Bigger Picture**
Haaland has been the Premier League’s top scorer for the past two seasons and has played a crucial role in City’s recent successes. If he were to miss the start of the 2024–25 season, it would be a significant setback for the reigning champions and a notable advantage for their rivals.
