Pep Guardiola has explained why he chose to risk starting Erling Haaland against FC Copenhagen.
Manchester City returned to Champions League action on Wednesday night and stretched their unbeaten run to 20 matches with a 3-1 win.
Pep Guardiola’s side cruised into the quarter-finals 6-2 on aggregate thanks to first-half goals from Manuel Akanji, Julian Alvarez and Erling Haaland.
Matheus Nunes‘ gruesome finger injury aside, it was a perfect night for City who were able to rest many of their top stars ahead of facing Liverpool on Sunday.
City haven’t got a good record at Anfield so will need everyone at their best if they are to move to the top of the Premier League table.
Guardiola was able to take Rodri off at half-time against Copenhagen with Liverpool in mind and rested Kevin De Bruyne, Phil Foden, Kyle Walker, Nathan Ake and Bernardo Silva completely.
Yet, he chose not only to start Haaland but to leave him on the pitch until the 88th minute. A potentially big risk ahead of the weekend’s massive match.
Pep Guardiola explains Erling Haaland decision
Speaking to TNT Sport after the match, Guardiola was asked about starting Haaland.
He said: “When you introduce me to a player who doesn’t want to play all the minutes during the games I will be surprised.
“But he needs rhythm, he needs to play. We need him. He make an incredible goal, a really nice one. Really good.”
A good decision
While the rest of City’s top stars are in great form and would benefit from the night off, clearly Haaland needed more minutes under his belt.
The Norwegian sensation might have eight goals in his last five games but he is still below his excellent best.
Haaland missed a stunning chance in the Manchester derby as well as several good opportunities in the draw with Chelsea.
The 23-year-old is still feeling his way back to full fitness after 12 games out with a stress reaction in his foot and the more time he has on the pitch the quicker that will happen.
Hopefully, he’s feeling as good as possible when City travel to Liverpool as they will need him to deliver in the pivotal game.
