Pep Guardiola admits he is not sure when Erling Haaland will return from injury after the Manchester City striker missed his team’s win over Leeds on Saturday.
Haaland was a surprise absentee from the City team to play at Elland Road. with Antoine Semenyo replacing him as the central striker in the starting line-up and scoring the winning goal.
Guardiola admitted before the game that Haaland picked up an issue in training on Thursday and described it as a “little injury”.
But after the game, the City boss could not given an answer on when Haaland will be back fit.
Asked how he felt about winning in Leeds without Haaland, Guardiola replied: “I wish he’d come back!”
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FREE TO WATCH: Highlights from Leeds United’s match against Manchester City in the Premier League.
And then asked when he will be back, Guardiola replied: “I don’t know.”
Haaland’s injury comes amid a busy time for Guardiola’s City – with four matches in three different competitions happening over the next fortnight.
City host Nottingham Forest in their next Premier League game on Wednesday night, before visiting Newcastle in the FA Cup next Saturday.
City then make it three straight away games when they play Real Madrid in the first leg of the Champions League last 16 on March 11, then having another away game at West Ham three days later.
Guardiola revealed he is frustrated about the FA Cup fifth round game at Newcastle being given a 8pm kick-off time – which the City boss claims is giving his team less time to prepare to play Real.
“We have three days until Nottingham Forest]”, said Guardiola. “And then after in the FA Cup, thank you so much for letting us play at 8pm instead of 3pm so we have less recover to play Real Madrid,” said Guardiola.
“So again thank you so much. This is what you have to live [with], but you have to deal with that.”
Pep: Champions League qualification is our priority
City are challenging on all four fronts as we prepare to enter March – with victory over Leeds taking the club two points behind Premier League leaders Arsenal.
However, Mikel Arteta’s Gunners can extend the lead back to five points if they beat Chelsea on Sunday, live on Sky Sports at 4.30pm.
Sunday 1st March 4:25pm
Kick off 4:30pm
Despite so many trophies up for grabs, Guardiola claims the “main, main priority” for the club is securing another season of Champions League football.
“One game at a time,” said Guardiola. “Recover now and start the real season when there are many, many games and everyone’s tired.
“We’re playing against teams who are [going] down on playing for Europe. So every game is really tough just like today.
“The Premier League is more competitive than ever. It’s a real battle but it’s important to make a real step to qualify for the Champions League next season. It’s the main, main target for the club.
“Because in the last 10 years we have always been there, the only Premier League team to be there. There’s a gap, it’s not done, but it’s a big gap and the first step is massive.”
Man City moved two points behind Premier League leaders Arsenal with the win at Leeds
Asked if he feels his team are set to go on a long winning run, like title races in the past, Guardiola said: “I could not care less. What happened in the past is in the past.
“You want to tell me what’s going to happen against Nottingham Forest? I don’t have an answer for that. When we won 13 or 14 games in a row to win the Premier League against Liverpool, I never knew when we would win 13 or 14 in a row. It’s just one game at a time.”
Can Semenyo fill in for Haaland?
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Semenyo fires Manchester City ahead right on the stroke of half-time against Leeds in the Premier League.
Sky Sports’ Micah Richards on Saturday Night Football speaking about matchwinner Antoine Semenyo’s performance against Leeds:
“He’s just got that true quality. We always say players need time to adapt at new clubs, but he brings the pace, the power, and football IQ to do what Pep wants.
“That’s the most important thing. When you’re up front with Haaland, then with [Omar] Marmoush, but also he’s having to drop in defensively to positions which are probably new to him.
“The way he’s adapted is absolutely fantastic. But also delivering as well. There’s so many stars in the Man City team – [Phil] Foden, [Tiijjani] Reijnders. But to have the impact with so many of them in the team it shows how good he is.
“Long may it continue. The question mark was whether he could do it at this level and he definitely can.”
