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Premier League champions Manchester City were handed a massive blow in their pre-season campaign with star striker Erling Haaland suffering a muscle injury. Haaland has been the focal point of the Man City with the Norwegian racking up record-breaking numbers over his first two seasons.
But in Man City's friendly against FC Barcelona, Haaland was subbed out at half-time for the second straight time this pre-season after scoring. Later in his press conference, Cityzens manager Pep Guardiola confirmed that the former Borussia Dortmund star wasn't feeling good and faced some muscle niggles.
Erling Haaland didn't feel good: Pep Guardiola
"He's got some niggles. He didn't feel good," Guardiola, per ESPN, said on Tuesday. "[It is] disturbing something, he doesn't feel comfortable. Muscular niggles is not worth the risk. Sooner or later he has to take a step. To lose him for three weeks, that would be a problem as 60-70% of the squad are on holiday."
Pep Guardiola also spoke about the return of young midfielder Nico O'Reilly. Speaking to the press, the Spanish manager said, "He was injured, he had a long injury last season. He comes back, in middle of last season he trains with us, and I said 'Wow, this guy is big.' Normally all the academy players are little Oscar Bobb's."
"He is good in the header, so strong in the duels. In attacking midfield you will see him arrive in the positions - holding midfielder, attacking midfielder. From the academy, we are blessed to have these players. They have to compete with the other guys, the young players push the older guys. They are hungry, starving. They want to be football players and show they are there."
