Man City manager hopes striker will recover in time for crucial Premier League match
Manchester City are anxiously awaiting news on Erling Haaland’s fitness ahead of their Premier League match against Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday. Manager Pep Guardiola confirmed that the striker, who has netted 27 goals across all competitions this season, is recovering from a knee injury sustained during City’s 4-0 victory over Newcastle on February 15. Haaland was absent for City’s 2-0 loss to Liverpool on Sunday, which left the team in fourth place with 44 points.
Guardiola stated that the team would have a clearer picture after Tuesday’s training session: “Tonight we will know after training. He feels better, but we will see tomorrow,” he said.
City, who have dominated the Premier League in recent years, are having a less impressive season. They also suffered a heavy 6-3 aggregate defeat to Real Madrid in the Champions League, adding to their struggles. Despite signing several players in the January transfer window, including Omar Marmoush, Nico Gonzalez, Abdukodir Khusanov, Vitor Reis, and Juma Bah, the team has yet to regain its form.
Guardiola downplayed the notion that rebuilding City’s squad would be the most difficult challenge of his career. Reflecting on his tenure, he noted: “We have done it two or three times already. It is not the biggest challenge. The biggest challenge was when I first started my managerial career and proved myself with my staff.”
The manager also praised the performances of academy graduate Rico Lewis, who has stepped into the right-back role following Kyle Walker’s departure to AC Milan. Guardiola highlighted Lewis’s intelligence and defensive abilities, stating: “He is not just a good defender but an exceptional one. His physicality may not be typical, but his understanding of the game and his skill with the ball are outstanding.”
