Erling Haaland May Be Sidelined Against Young Boys

Manchester City might play their fourth UEFA Champions League group stage game without their talisman, Erling Haaland.

The club’s coach, Pep Guardiola, told pressmen on Monday, November 6, that Erling Haaland would have to be subjected to a medical examination ahead of the Champions League game against Young Boys.

The Swiss club are in Manchester, England to take on the reigning Champions League winners at 9 p.m. on Tuesday, November 7. It would be a great relief for the struggling team to play Manchester City at the Etihad without Haaland.

Recall that the 23-year-old Norwegian striker was carted off the field at halftime of Saturday’s 6-1 Premier League victory over Bournemouth due to a twisted ankle.

However, Haaland who has scored 13 goals in all competitions for Manchester City so far this season participated in a segment of Monday’s afternoon training.

But Pep Guardiola might not risk playing him against the Young Boys on Tuesday since the Premier League side need just a win to seal their qualification for the next round of the Champions League campaign.

When asked if Erling Haaland would be fit for the Champions League match, Pep Guardiola said: “We will speak with the doctor – I don’t know.”

He added: “I will listen to the doctors. If [the doctor] says he is ready and does not have pain I will consider him to play.

“Yesterday he told me he felt much better than the day of the game.”

Manchester City are currently topping the Champions League Group G with 9 points in three games, three points above second-placed RB Leipzig. While Young Boys who are yet to record any win in three games are sitting in the third spot with just a point.