Pep Guardiola has admitted he is unsure when Erling Haaland will be fit to return, though he remains hopeful the striker could feature in Manchester City’s crucial clash against Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday.
Haaland has been sidelined since sustaining a knee injury against Newcastle on February 15. While scans have shown no serious damage, the Norwegian striker has reported ongoing discomfort, preventing him from returning to action.
Speaking about Haaland’s recovery, Guardiola acknowledged the uncertainty. “I don’t know when he’ll be back,” he confessed. “Scans show no injury, but he still doesn’t feel right. He trained recently and looked good, but he says he’s not ready. We hope he can return against Spurs.”
Man City Struggles Without Key Players
Haaland’s absence has coincided with a difficult period for City. The team suffered back-to-back defeats, losing 3-1 to Real Madrid and 2-0 to Liverpool, significantly denting their season. Despite this, they remain in fourth place, keeping their Champions League qualification hopes alive.
Guardiola has pointed to injuries as a major reason for City’s struggles this season. “With Haaland, Rodri, Stones, and Akanji, we are a better team, but injuries have disrupted us,” he explained. He also noted the contrast with Liverpool, who have maintained a consistent squad throughout the campaign.
“Liverpool have had no major injuries, allowing them to maintain stability,” Guardiola observed. “That consistency has helped them stay ahead while we’ve had to adapt without key players.”
Liverpool’s Title Charge Continues
While City’s title hopes have faded, Liverpool strengthened their grip on the top spot after their 2-0 victory at the Etihad. Goals from Mohamed Salah and Dominik Szoboszlai extended their lead to 11 points, putting them in a commanding position in the title race.
Despite this advantage, Liverpool’s manager Arne Slot remains cautious, emphasizing that the Premier League is unpredictable. “As comfortable as this lead would be in other leagues, the Premier League always presents challenges,” Slot stated.
With Haaland’s return date still uncertain, City must find a way to regain form quickly if they hope to secure a top-four finish and salvage their season.