Champions League: Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola dismisses Erling Haaland injury scare
The prolific Norwegian striker was filmed clutching his shin in apparent pain during a training session open to the media on Monday
Pep Guardiola has dismissed fears top scorer Erling Haaland has suffered an injury scare ahead of Manchester City’s Champions League clash with Sporting Lisbon.
The prolific Norwegian striker was filmed clutching his shin after going down in apparent pain during a training session open to members of the media on Monday.
Yet manager Guardiola confirmed the 24-year-old was fit and well after the squad arrived in the Portuguese capital later that evening.
“He’s fine,” said Guardiola, before adding with a touch of sarcasm. “We have to occupy the news for 24 hours, we have to make the news as much as possible. That’s the reason why.”
That news will undoubtedly be of some relief for City, who have been grappling with a long injury list in recent weeks.
John Stones, Jack Grealish and Ruben Dias have not been included in the travelling party to face Sporting, while Kevin De Bruyne, Kyle Walker, Manuel Akanji, Nathan Ake and Jeremy Doku are among those not fully fit.