Man City sweating on Erling Haaland’s fitness after striker limps out of clash with Bournemouth at half-time with ankle injury

Despite a thumping 6-1 win over Bournemouth in the Premier League on Saturday, the injury to Erling Haaland proved to be a matter of concern for the Cityzens. The Norwegian goal machine, who had been in blistering form, was substituted at half-time after picking up an injury during a collision on the ground.

Following the match, Haaland’s teammate Nathan Ake expressed his uncertainty regarding the striker’s condition. Speaking to BBC’s Match of the Day, Ake revealed that he was not fully aware of the extent of Haaland’s injury but expressed hope that it was not too serious.

Providing an update on Haaland’s injury status, Pep Guardiola acknowledged that the twist in the ankle forced them to make the decision to substitute him and not take any unnecessary risks. Guardiola hinted that Haaland might be available for the midweek Champions League clash but also raised the possibility of him being sidelined until the following Sunday. The City manager’s cautious approach demonstrated the importance of Haaland’s presence in the team and highlighted the need to prioritize his recovery.

While the injury to Haaland was undoubtedly a setback for the team, the Cityzens welcomed the outstanding performance of their new signing, Jeremy Doku, during the match against Bournemouth. The Belgian winger made a memorable impact by bagging two Premier League records. With four assists and a goal to his name, Doku became the youngest player in Premier League history, at the age of 21 years and 161 days, to achieve five goal involvements in a single game. Furthermore, he also became the youngest player to provide four assists in a match. Doku’s exceptional performance showcased his potential and added to the team’s attacking prowess.

Considering their impressive start with three wins out of three matches in the Champions League, Guardiola may feel that he can afford to rest Haaland during the upcoming midweek clash against Young Boys. This strategic decision would ensure that Haaland receives sufficient time to recover and minimize the risk of aggravating his injury. The depth of the City squad allows for adequate cover in Haaland’s absence, with other talented players ready to step up and contribute to the team’s continued success.