Manchester City's Erling Haaland leaves the pitch at half time during the English Premier League football match between Manchester City and Bournemouth at the Etihad stadium in Manchester, England, Saturday, November 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson)
February 19, 2025
Haaland on bench for Man City vs Real Madrid
MADRID, Spain (AFP) – Manchester City striker Erling Haaland is not fit enough to start against Real Madrid on Wednesday in the Champions League play-off round.
The Norwegian sustained a knock on Saturday when City beat Newcastle in the Premier League and was named on the bench by Pep Guardiola.
City also start with new arrivals Nico Gonzalez and Abdukodir Khusanov in the side.
Real Madrid were able to name Antonio Rudiger in defence after injury, with Aurelien Tchouameni restored to his preferred midfield position.