Pep Guardiola (foto: Posnetek zaslona)
Pep Guardiola has dismissed Jamie Carragher’s suggestion that Erling Haaland avoided playing against Antonio Rüdiger, insisting that the striker was desperate to feature despite his injury.
Manchester City crashed out of the Champions League following a 3-1 defeat to Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabéu, losing 6-3 on aggregate in the knockout play-off. Kylian Mbappé was the star of the night, scoring a hat-trick with goals in the 4th, 33rd, and 61st minutes. Nico González netted a late consolation for City in injury time.
The absence of Erling Haaland due to injury sparked speculation, with Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher suggesting that the Norwegian striker deliberately avoided a showdown with Real Madrid’s dominant defender Antonio Rüdiger.
Carragher’s controversial theory
Speaking on CBS Sports, Carragher questioned whether Haaland opted out of the match due to fear of facing Rüdiger.
"Do you think it has something to do with Rüdiger? Is it because Rüdiger is playing? He's on the bench so he can't get injured. I've never gone to the manager in the morning before a game and said I'm not ready to play. Did he just get Rüdiger's disease? Is that what it is?"
Guardiola’s emphatic response
Guardiola was stunned when told about Carragher’s comments during his press conference.
"Oh my God, did he really say that? Don't laugh, I don't know what's so suspicious about him. Did he say Haaland didn’t want to play the game? That’s not nice and it’s not true. Haaland was ‘crazy’ to play, but he had problems with his knee and couldn't play at all."
City’s season in crisis?
Manchester City now turns its attention to a crucial Premier League clash against Liverpool at the Etihad. However, the early Champions League exit adds to what is shaping up to be one of the worst seasons in Guardiola’s illustrious managerial career.
- City has lost 13 games this season, the most since Guardiola became a senior coach in 2008.
- For the first time in 16 years, Guardiola failed to reach the Champions League Round of 16.
- City is unlikely to defend its Premier League title after four consecutive league triumphs.
- They were eliminated early from the League Cup.