Pep Guardiola admits he’s not certain 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 Street. with Antoine Semenyo changing him because the central striker within the beginning line-up and scoring the profitable aim.
Guardiola admitted earlier than the sport that Haaland picked up a difficulty in coaching on Thursday and described it as a “little harm”.
However after the sport, the Metropolis boss couldn’t given a solution on when Haaland will likely be again match.
Requested how he felt about profitable in Leeds with out Haaland, Guardiola replied: “I want he’d come again!”
After which requested when he will likely be again, Guardiola replied: “I do not know.”
Haaland’s harm comes amid a busy time for Guardiola’s Metropolis – with 4 matches in three completely different competitions occurring over the following 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 after 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 pissed off in regards to 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 arrange to play Actual.
“We have now three days till Nottingham Forest]”, stated Guardiola. “After which after within the FA Cup, thanks a lot for letting us play at 8pm as a substitute of 3pm so we’ve got much less recuperate to play Actual Madrid,” stated Guardiola.
“So once more thanks a lot. That is what you need to stay [with], however you need to take care of 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 prolong the lead again to 5 factors in the event that they beat Chelsea on Sunday, stay 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 “predominant, predominant precedence” for the membership is securing one other season of Champions League soccer.
“One recreation at a time,” stated Guardiola. “Get well now and begin the actual season when there are various, many video games and everybody’s drained.
“We’re taking part in towards groups who’re [going] down on taking part in for Europe. So each recreation is actually powerful identical to in the present day.
“The Premier League is extra aggressive than ever. It is an actual battle nevertheless it’s vital to make an actual step to qualify for the Champions League subsequent season. It is the primary, predominant goal for the membership.
“As a result of within the final 10 years we’ve got at all times been there, the one Premier League group to be there. There is a hole, it is not executed, nevertheless it’s an enormous 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 profitable run, like title races previously, Guardiola stated: “I couldn’t care much less. What occurred previously is previously.
“You need to inform me what is going on to occur towards Nottingham Forest? I haven’t got a solution for that. Once we received 13 or 14 video games in a row to win the Premier League towards Liverpool, I by no means knew once 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 towards Leeds within the Premier League.
Sky Sports activities’ Micah Richards on Saturday Evening Soccer talking about matchwinner Antoine Semenyo’s efficiency towards Leeds:
“He is simply received that true high quality. We at all times say gamers want time to adapt at new golf equipment, however he brings the tempo, the ability, and soccer IQ to do what Pep needs.
“That is crucial factor. While 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 best way he is tailored is totally incredible. But additionally delivering as nicely. There’s so many stars within the Man Metropolis group – [Phil] Foden, [Tiijjani] Reijnders. However to have the influence with so lots of them within the group it reveals how good he’s.
“Lengthy might it proceed. The query mark was whether or not he might do it at this stage and he undoubtedly can.”
