Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has slammed Jamie Carragher’s claims that Erling Haaland avoided playing against Real Madrid due to fear of Antonio Rudiger. Guardiola insists Haaland was eager to play but was sidelined due to a knee injury. Haaland’s fitness remains in doubt ahead of City's Liverpool clash.
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has hit back at Jamie Carragher’s remarks regarding Erling Haaland’s absence in their Champions League clash against Real Madrid. Haaland, who picked up a knee injury during City’s win over Newcastle, was benched for the crucial match at Santiago Bernabeu, raising questions from the former Liverpool defender.
Carragher speculated whether Haaland himself had requested to stay on the bench, suggesting he was intimidated by Real Madrid’s Antonio Rudiger—a claim Guardiola strongly refuted. The City boss expressed disbelief at Carragher’s comments, insisting that Haaland was eager to play but was sidelined due to injury. "He was crazy to play the game," Guardiola asserted, dismissing any notion that the striker avoided the match.
Despite City’s 6-3 aggregate defeat, the debate over Haaland’s absence has continued, with Guardiola labeling the claims as unfair and baseless. The Norwegian’s fitness remains uncertain as City prepares for their upcoming Premier League showdown against Liverpool.
