Absent Against Crystal Palace, Erling Haaland When Can Man City Strengthen?

JAKARTA - Manchester City has not yet been strengthened by striker Erling Haaland sat against Crystal Palace in the 17th week of the 2023/2024 Premier League at the Etihad Stadium, Saturday, December 16, 2023, WIB night.

Pep Guardiola's manager admitted that he could not confirm when Haaland returned to play. Foot injury forced Haaland to pull over. He was out of play when Man City won 2-1 over Luton Town.

Likewise, The Citizens beat Crvena Zvezda 3-2 in the 2023/2024 Champions League. In that match, Haaland's position was replaced by young Oscar Bobb who contributed goals.

Haaland was also confirmed to be absent when Man City hosted Palace. He is still recovering so Guardiola will not force Haaland to play.

However, Guardiola hopes that his players will be able to appear when Man City competes in the 2023 Club World Cup in Saudi Arabia.

The team played a semifinal match in a tournament that brought together the champions between their respective continental clubs in the semifinals, December 19, 2023.

"I can only hope that he can be brought to Saudi Arabia (shown at the Club World Cup). Whether he appears in the first or second matches, I also still don't know," said Guardiola.

"He didn't have a fracture, just a collision. Sometimes players can recover quickly, but some need time. What is clear is that if he doesn't feel sick anymore, he will be played," he said again.

Without Haaland, Man City remains optimistic about Palace. Moreover, Man City, who is still stuck in fourth place, has returned to a positive path.

The chances of winning are very open because Palace is not a tough opponent for Man City. This London club has never won five times so it is stuck at the bottom by ranking 16th. However, Guardiola did not underestimate the opponent.

"It will be a tough game. We face a very brilliant team in defense," he said.

Man City need a win to keep the points apart from the teams above it. Currently, Man City has 33 points. They are four points adrift of the leaders of the standings, Liverpool.