Man City Threatened Without Erling Haaland In FA Cup Semifinals Against Chelsea

Manchester City is threatened without striker Erling Haaland (right) in the match against Chelsea in the FA Cup. (X/@ManCity)

JAKARTA - Manchester City striker Erling Haaland is in danger of not being able to appear in the FA Cup semifinal match against Chelsea at Wembley Stadium, London, Saturday, April 20, 2024 in the morning WIB. Muscle injury left Haaland in doubt of appearing in that match.

Haaland suffered an injury in the second match of the Champions League quarter-final against Real Madrid. He had to be pulled out so he didn't become the executor on penalties. Man City himself was eliminated after losing 4-3.

Manager Pep Guardiola said Haaland was not certain to appear in the match against Chelsea. The reason is that he is still recovering from the muscle injury he experienced.

In the match against Madrid, Guardiola not only attracted Haaland but also midfielder Kevin De Bruyne.

Without them on the executor list, Man City, who was the defending champion, finally fell on penalties after a 1-1 draw in normal time. The Cityzens' ambition to win treble for the second time was dashed.

"Erling feels something, muscle problems. So we'll see," said Guardiola.

"Kevin feels tired. He is exhausted after being absent for five months due to injury (at the start of the season). So it's natural for him to be tired," he said

Guardiola explained that his players felt the effects of a tiring schedule. Over the past two weeks, they have played five games. This is a consequence of Man City still fighting in three different competitions.

"This is normal. The reason is we have had more games this season and the previous season," said the former Barcelona coach.

"We don't have much time to recover. We play for extra time with high playing intensity. We're not machines, so we're tired," he said.

Chelsea benefited slightly from not playing midweek matches or midweek. Mauricio Pochettino's side are in a fitter condition against Man City. His team also faced tired opponents.

"We know that while playing 120 minutes in the Champions League, you have to play all out. And this also involves emotions. It's not easy to recover after you lose," said Pochettino.

"Of course this is not easy for them. Likewise when it happens to us. But we must not forget, they have an extraordinary squad. They show consistency for seven years under Guardiola's philosophy," he said.

After being eliminated in the Champions League, Man City still has a chance to win a double title. In the FA Cup, they had to get rid of Chelsea before meeting Manchester United or Coventry City in the final.

In the English Premier League competition, Man City is at the top of the standings with 73 points. But they are only two points ahead of Arsenal and Liverpool.