Manchester City Vs Brentford: Still Achieved Even Without Haaland

The Manchester City team is ready to face Brentford even though Erling Haaland is not strengthened. (X/@ManCity)

JAKARTA - Striker Erling Haaland is likely absent from Manchester City hosting Brentford in the English Premier League match at the Etihad Stadium, Saturday, September 14, 2024 evening WIB.

Haaland is grieving. Ivar Eggja, a close friend of his father, Alf Inge Haaland, died at the age of 59. He also expressed his condolences through his Instagram account.

"You're a legend, Ivar. It's hard to explain in words how meaningful you are! It's hard to explain in words that we're going to miss you!" for the sake of Haaland's expression.

"Thank you to everyone, you are a crazy person. We will meet again. Rest in peace, Ivar," said Haaland again.

Eggja is not only a close friend of his father but also accompanies Haaland in his football career. In fact, he has a big influence in Haaland's career.

When Haaland moved to Borusia Dortmund, he became the busiest figure. Eggja is also looking for an apartment in the middle of Dortmund for Haaland.

He was also present when Haaland moved and was introduced to Man City in 2022. Eggja also accompanied Haaland in last year's Ballon d'Or award.

Haaland is actually still undergoing the last training with Man City. However, manager Pep Guardiola allowed his players to leave the club to return to their hometowns to take Eggja to its final resting place.

Not only that, Haaland was given the freedom that he did not need to go straight back to the club because he was still in a sad atmosphere. This means that Man City will not be strengthened by the 24-year-old striker against his guest Brentford in the first match after the international break.

If Haaland is absent, Man City is actually experiencing a crisis for the forward. Because Oscar Bobb, Haaland's colleague in the Norwegian national team, has also not been able to appear after a broken leg. Meanwhile, Julian Alvarez has moved to Atletico Madrid.

However, there is still Jeremy Doku who replaces Haaland. In addition, Guardiola can play a false 9 strategy by placing Kevin De Bruyne or Bernardo Silva as a center forward.

In that match, Man City was not actually strengthened by defender Nathan Ake, who suffered an injury while strengthening the Netherlands in the UEFA Nations League.

On the other hand, Rodri, Phil Foden and Savinho are back in training. They, originally, were doubtful if they appeared because they were still sick or not fully fit. But they are back in training and have the opportunity to appear against Brentford.

Even though the squad is incomplete, Guardiola can still field the best players. Acting as the host, Man City is still favored to win fourth as well as score perfect points.

Man City showed consistency and again became a seed to win the Premier League trophy for the fifth time in a row.

The consistency factor makes the Cityzens' chances of getting the three points very open. Moreover, Brentford has lost flagship striker Ivan Toney who chose to play in the Saudi Arabian Pro League to join Al-Ahli.

With Toney's departure, The Bees will rely on the duo of Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa up front. They hope to surprise Man City. Only the Brentford duo will face defender Kyle Walker's quartet Manuel Akanji, Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol.

Obviously not an easy matter for them. Thomas Frank's team also had to work hard to steal points at home to the opponent.

Manchester City Lineup Forecast (4-2-3-1): Ederson; Walker, Akanji, Dias, Gvardiol; Kovacic, Bernardo; Savinho, De Bruyne, Foden; Doku

Brentford (3-5-2): Fleken; Collins, Pinnick, Ajer; Roerslev, Damsgaard, Norgaard, Janelt, Lewis-Potter; Mbeumo, Wissa