Haaland

2025 - 2 - 19

Haaland: The Benchwarmer We Didn’t See Coming!

Erling Haaland - football injuries - Jamie Carragher - Manchester City - Pep Guardiola - Real Madrid - sports strategy - UEFA Champions League

Find out why Manchester City's superstar Erling Haaland was benched against Real Madrid in the crucial Champions League clash! ⚽💔

In a decision that left fans bewildered, Erling Haaland, the sensational striker for Manchester City, found himself on the bench for their crucial UEFA Champions League showdown against Real Madrid at the Bernabeu. With City trailing 3-2 on aggregate, Pep Guardiola had to make some tough calls, but many couldn't believe that the prolific Haaland, who has been scoring goals for fun, would be watching from the sidelines. Was it a tactical gamble, or is Haaland truly struggling with an injury?

As the match kicked off, questions buzzed around the stadium. In one moment, Haaland had been on fire, scoring hat-tricks as easily as picking apples off a tree; in the next, he was reduced to an onlooker. Guardiola later revealed, amidst a flurry of opinions from pundits, that Haaland's fitness levels only allowed him to be a substitute. Jamie Carragher chimed in, suggesting that maybe the whole situation wasn't just about injury but possibly about strategy—after all, the stakes were higher than a giraffe's neck in this knockout round!

The atmosphere was electric as City battled with all their might, and every glance at the bench reminded fans of Haaland's absence on the pitch. Would City have fared better with him leading the line? Only the wizard of Guardiola could say for sure. Ultimately, there are countless theories swirling, each as wild as the last goal celebration that left its mark on the pitch. Supporters were on the edge of their seats, hoping for a miracle.

In the end, while Haaland may have been sidelined, his time on the bench led to some unforgettable drama on the pitch. Did you know he’s currently leading the Premier League scoring charts and is being hailed as one of the most lethal finishers the league has ever seen? Also, Guardiola’s risky play might’ve added a twist to how the Champions League unfolds this season—stay tuned to see if Haaland returns with a vengeance!

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Image courtesy of "BT Sport"

Erling Haaland left on bench for Manchester City in crucial second ... (BT Sport)

Erling Haaland was named as a substitute for Manchester City's UEFA Champions League play-off second leg against Real Madrid at the Bernabeu.

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Image courtesy of "Yahoo Eurosport UK"

Man City suffer Erling Haaland injury nightmare against Real Madrid (Yahoo Eurosport UK)

Manchester City striker Erling Haaland was only fit enough for the bench for the Champions League game with Real Madrid.

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Image courtesy of "Daily Mail"

Pep Guardiola reveals why he benched Erling Haaland for crucial ... (Daily Mail)

Pep Guardiola's side travel to the Bernabeu 3-2 down on aggregate after a stunning finish to the first-leg of the Champions League playoff tie last week.

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Image courtesy of "beIN SPORTS USA"

Why Is Erling Haaland Not Starting Against Real Madrid in the ... (beIN SPORTS USA)

In the high-stakes UEFA Champions League playoff second leg between Real Madrid and Manchester City, the absence of Erling Haaland from the starting lineup ...

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Image courtesy of "Yahoo Sports"

Revealed: Why Erling Haaland is not starting for Manchester City ... (Yahoo Sports)

Pep Guardiola has left Erling Haaland out of his Manchester City starting line-up against Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday night.

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Image courtesy of "Metro"

Jamie Carragher suggests real reason Erling Haaland missed Real ... (Metro)

Jamie Carragher questioned the injury that stopped Erling Haaland from starting for Manchester City against Real Madrid in the Champions League.

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Image courtesy of "Mirror.co.uk"

Man City DROP Erling Haaland for must-win Champions League ... (Mirror.co.uk)

Manchester City will take on Real Madrid in their Champions League clash with Erling Haaland on the bench as Pep Guardiola takes a huge risk for their must ...

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Image courtesy of "ESPN.co.uk"

Real Madrid vs Man City: Erling Haaland benched for crucial clash ... (ESPN.co.uk)

Erling Haaland has been dropped to the bench for Manchester City's crucial Champions League playoff second-leg clash with Real Madrid on Wednesday.

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Image courtesy of "Hayters TV"

Pep Guardiola issues Erling Haaland injury update after Man City ... (Hayters TV)

Pep Guardiola says he does not think the injury which forced Erling Haaland to miss the Champions League defeat to Real Madrid is serious.

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Image courtesy of "Football365.com"

Carragher claims Haaland faked injury to avoid Real Madrid star in ... (Football365.com)

Jamie Carragher questioned whether Erling Haaland was really injured as Manchester City crashed out of the Champions League on Wednesday.

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Image courtesy of "ESPN"

Real Madrid vs Man City: Erling Haaland benched for crucial clash ... (ESPN)

Erling Haaland has been dropped to the bench for Manchester City's crucial Champions League playoff second-leg clash with Real Madrid on Wednesday.

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Image courtesy of "Manchester City FC"

Pep provides Haaland update in wake of Real Madrid loss (Manchester City FC)

Pep Guardiola revealed why Erling Haaland was unable to feature in Wednesday's Champions League exit at the hands of Real Madrid.

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Image courtesy of "Yahoo Eurosport UK"

Rio Ferdinand makes Erling Haaland prediction as Man City learn ... (Yahoo Eurosport UK)

Erling Haaland was only fit enough to make the bench for Manchester City in their must-win clash against Real Madrid.

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Image courtesy of "Evening Standard"

Erling Haaland injury: Pep Guardiola offers new update on Man City ... (Evening Standard)

Prolific frontman did not come off the bench as his side crashed out of the Champions League to Real Madrid.

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Image courtesy of "The New York Times"

Without Erling Haaland, Manchester City are a shadow of a team (The New York Times)

The striker's absence snuffed out City's hopes in Madrid before a ball had been kicked - and that's a bad sign.

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Image courtesy of "Football365.com"

'Doesn't feel good' – Guardiola offers fresh injury update on Haaland ... (Football365.com)

Pep Guardiola has given fans a fresh update on Erling Haaland's fitness ahead of their Premier League clash with Liverpool.

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Image courtesy of "Eurosport.com"

Man City v Liverpool team news: Will Erling Haaland play in ... (Eurosport.com)

As Manchester City prepare to take on Premier League leaders Liverpool on Sunday, Pep Guardiola will be sweating over the fitness of Erling Haaland.

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Image courtesy of "Accrington Observer"

Erling Haaland drinks 'magic' fitness smoothie but it's full of items ... (Accrington Observer)

Manchester City star Erling Haaland has opened up on his diet, which sees him consume more than double the recommended daily calorie intake for the average ...

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Image courtesy of "Surrey Live"

Erling Haaland's 'magic' smoothie that helps make up his 6000 ... (Surrey Live)

Erling Haaland has shared that he drinks a 'magic' smoothie during training sessions to help him hit his demanding 6000 calorie-per-day diet - and it's made ...

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Image courtesy of "Yahoo Eurosport UK"

Man City have easy Erling Haaland call for Liverpool after injury ... (Yahoo Eurosport UK)

Manchester City striker Erling Haaland was a big miss in the Champions League and the club will hope he is ok for Liverpool.

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Image courtesy of "Mirror.co.uk"

Pep Guardiola offers worrying Erling Haaland hint ahead of Man ... (Mirror.co.uk)

Erling Haaland did not feature as Manchester City were knocked out of the Champions League by Real Madrid on Wednesday due to a knee problem and Pep ...

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Image courtesy of "Manchester Evening News"

Haaland, Dias, Ake, Grealish - Man City injury news and return ... (Manchester Evening News)

Manchester City face Real Madrid tonight knowing only a win will keep their Champions League dreams alive.

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Image courtesy of "Gazette & Herald"

Erling Haaland faces race against time for Liverpool clash (Gazette & Herald)

The striker was an unused substitute as Manchester City exited the Champions League with defeat at Real Madrid on Wednesday.

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Image courtesy of "centralfifetimes.com"

Erling Haaland faces race against time for Liverpool clash (centralfifetimes.com)

The striker was an unused substitute as Manchester City exited the Champions League with defeat at Real Madrid on Wednesday.

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Image courtesy of "Daily Mail"

Pep Guardiola reveals Erling Haaland is struggling to WALK down ... (Daily Mail)

Erling Haaland 'had discomfort walking' ahead of Manchester City 's Champions League clash against Real Madrid , Pep Guardiola has revealed.

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Image courtesy of "talkSPORT.com"

I've played against Erling Haaland and Alexander Isak but bit-part ... (talkSPORT.com)

Crystal Palace defender Maxence Lacroix revealed to talkSPORT his toughest opponent and it might surprise a few people.The French defender has played.

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