Manchester (VG) Erling Braut Haaland (22) is risking being off the bench in the near future due to the match schedule, without coach Pep Guardiola (51) wanting to offer any further explanation to the Norwegian.
At 20.30, Paul Tierney started the match between Manchester City and the newly promoted Nottingham Forest. After Saturday’s hat-trick, the Etihad Stadium wants to see their new favorite star again, but it’s not certain Haaland will start the match.
– You’ll see tomorrow, Guardiola tells VG.
With around 20 journalists at the club’s training facility just 20 minutes from central Manchester, the Spaniard stated that he rarely takes the time to explain why they are not on the pitch. He believes that everyone should accept that.
– I won’t explain anything. I don’t have to explain why I made the decisions. Some guys get it, some never get it. Those who don’t get it… I couldn’t care less. I dont care. I do what is best for the team, says Guardiola, before he continues.
– I’m the manager. I decide. I get paid for that.
Read also: The city manager was amazed by Haaland
Sir Alex Ferguson, 80, would occasionally send messages to men like Ole Gunnar Solskjaer (49) and others at Manchester United about matches they wanted to start and who wanted to be on the bench. This is not how Guardiola works.
No, a lot of things change in a week. Now there is also a “crazy” matching program. I make decisions the day before the match or on the day of the match. This depends on a lot. How they train, how they play when they are on the field, etc.
There are players who accept it and there are players who think they have to play because of who they are. Guardiola says these players are completely wrong.
Read also: The city manager was amazed by Haaland
While there was previously some uncertainty among some experts in England about whether Haaland was as good as the rumors suggested, there is no longer any doubt.
– Everyone talks a lot. We were right! I hope he feels comfortable here. We had no doubts about it. There are many battles, months and years left. It still has a chance to evolve. Guardiola: We are working on it.
City Bray reporter agrees with the Spanish manager. In his opinion, there is absolutely no doubt about Haaland’s qualities.
– He converted very quickly. For anyone who doubts, especially after Liverpool’s Community Shield match, he has shown that he can score every goal possible in the Premier League. And he did it incredibly quickly. Adversaries seem to fear him, says Joe Bray, the Manchester Evening News reporter.
Meanwhile, it is believed that Haaland may be on the bench on Wednesday night in the match against Nottingham Forest. The reason is that City will play a game every third day for the next two months.
– If you were to comfort Haaland, this would probably be the best match to do so. Bray says Guardiola wants him in good health against Sevilla next week – but he will never tell us about the team until it is announced.
Read also: Haaland rushed to score a hat-trick in a great comeback
At Nottingham Forest, City face a side that has spent over a billion and a half on 19 new players purchased after promotion. The whole team has been changed. In terms of results, the team won one game, drew one and lost two.
While City are second in the Premier League, two points behind Martin Odegaard’s Arsenal, Steve Cooper’s men are in 14th place.
– They want to stay in the Premier League for many years. Guardiola says it’s a new team, but in a similar style to last season.
After Haaland’s comeback goal against Crystal Palace, the Spaniard said he was deeply influenced by Yerbo’s mentality. When the City manager held a press conference on Tuesday afternoon at the club’s training facility here in Manchester, the English media immediately began asking new questions about Haaland. The Premier League champions meet Forest on Wednesday, Aston Villa in Birmingham on Saturday and Seville in the Champions League on Tuesday.
After that, Haaland will probably want to play in the next matches as well. Then Spurs come for the first time at the Etihad Stadium before visiting old club Borussia Dortmund, Manchester.
Read more: Intensive month for the city
Ahead of Wednesday’s home game, the Spaniard has to decide whether to use the Premier League’s top scorer or whether to rest. With 19 matches in the next two months, Guardiola will make sure that Haaland’s fatigue does not lead to injuries.
– When erling Not He plays, Julian (Alvarez) will play. It is almost certain. We really like Julian – his speed, work ethic, and so much more. I am amazed at how good Julian is, although I saw him quite a bit before he came here, says the city manager.
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