Pep Guardiola admits he isn’t positive when Erling Haaland will return from harm after the Manchester Metropolis striker missed his group’s win over Leeds on Saturday.
Haaland was a shock absentee from the Metropolis group to play at Elland Highway. with Antoine Semenyo changing him because the central striker within the beginning line-up and scoring the successful purpose.
Guardiola admitted earlier than the sport that Haaland picked up a problem in coaching on Thursday and described it as a “little injury”.
However after the sport, the Metropolis boss couldn’t given a solution on when Haaland can be again match.
Requested how he felt about successful in Leeds with out Haaland, Guardiola replied: “I wish he’d come back!”
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FREE TO WATCH: Highlights from Leeds United’s match in opposition to Manchester Metropolis within the Premier League.
After which requested when he can be again, Guardiola replied: “I don’t know.”
Haaland’s harm comes amid a busy time for Guardiola’s Metropolis – with 4 matches in three totally different competitions taking place over the subsequent fortnight.
Metropolis host Nottingham Forest of their subsequent Premier League recreation on Wednesday night time, earlier than visiting Newcastle within the FA Cup subsequent Saturday.
Metropolis then make it three immediately video games once they play Actual Madrid within the first leg of the Champions League final 16 on March 11, then having one other away recreation at West Ham three days later.
Guardiola revealed he’s annoyed concerning the FA Cup fifth spherical recreation at Newcastle being given a 8pm kick-off time – which the Metropolis boss claims is giving his group much less time to organize to play Actual.
“We have three days until Nottingham Forest]”, stated Guardiola. “And then after in the FA Cup, thank you so much for letting us play at 8pm instead of 3pm so we have less recover to play Real Madrid,” stated Guardiola.
“So again thank you so much. This is what you have to live [with], but you have to deal with that.”
Pep: Champions League qualification is our precedence
Metropolis are difficult on all 4 fronts as we put together to enter March – with victory over Leeds taking the membership two factors behind Premier League leaders Arsenal.
Nevertheless, Mikel Arteta’s Gunners can lengthen the lead again to 5 factors in the event that they beat Chelsea on Sunday, dwell on Sky Sports activities at 4.30pm.
Sunday 1st March 4:25pm
Kick off 4:30pm
Regardless of so many trophies up for grabs, Guardiola claims the “main, main priority” for the membership is securing one other season of Champions League soccer.
“One game at a time,” stated Guardiola. “Recover now and start the real season when there are many, many games and everyone’s tired.
“We’re enjoying in opposition to groups who’re [going] down on enjoying for Europe. So each recreation is basically robust identical to in the present day.
“The Premier League is more competitive than ever. It’s a real battle but it’s important to make a real step to qualify for the Champions League next season. It’s the main, main target for the club.
“As a result of within the final 10 years we now have all the time been there, the one Premier League group to be there. There is a hole, it is not executed, however it’s a giant hole and step one is huge.”
Man Metropolis moved two factors behind Premier League leaders Arsenal with the win at Leeds
Requested if he feels his group are set to go on an extended successful run, like title races prior to now, Guardiola stated: “I could not care less. What happened in the past is in the past.
“You wish to inform me what is going on to occur in opposition to Nottingham Forest? I haven’t got a solution for that. Once we gained 13 or 14 video games in a row to win the Premier League in opposition to Liverpool, I by no means knew after we would win 13 or 14 in a row. It is only one recreation at a time.”
Can Semenyo fill in for Haaland?
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Semenyo fires Manchester Metropolis forward proper on the stroke of half-time in opposition to Leeds within the Premier League.
Sky Sports activities’ Micah Richards on Saturday Evening Soccer talking about matchwinner Antoine Semenyo’s efficiency in opposition to Leeds:
“He’s just got that true quality. We always say players need time to adapt at new clubs, but he brings the pace, the power, and football IQ to do what Pep wants.
“That is a very powerful factor. Whenever you’re up entrance with Haaland, then with [Omar] Marmoush, but additionally he is having to drop in defensively to positions that are most likely new to him.
“The way he’s adapted is absolutely fantastic. But also delivering as well. There’s so many stars in the Man City team – [Phil] Foden, [Tiijjani] Reijnders. But to have the impact with so many of them in the team it shows how good he is.
“Lengthy might it proceed. The query mark was whether or not he may do it at this stage and he positively can.”
