City Vs Real: Haaland Chickened Out – Carragher

Jamie Carragher has cast doubt on Erling Haaland’s injury after Manchester City were eliminated from the Champions League by Real Madrid on Wednesday.

City entered the second leg at the Bernabeu trailing 3-2 from the first match at the Etihad. However, they struggled to compete as Kylian Mbappe’s stunning hat-trick secured Madrid’s 6-3 aggregate victory. A late goal from Nico Gonzalez was only a consolation for Pep Guardiola’s side.

Despite his brace in the first leg, Haaland remained on the bench throughout the game. The Norwegian had suffered a knee issue in City’s weekend win over Newcastle, and Guardiola confirmed before the match that he wasn’t fit to start.

Carragher, however, suggested that Haaland may have opted out due to the presence of Antonio Rudiger, a defender he has had tough battles with in the past. The German center-back, who missed the first leg, returned for the second clash.

“So let me work this out,” Carragher said on CBS Sports. “Haaland has gone to the manager this morning and said he’s not fit? Do you think that’s got something to do with Rudiger?

“He’s on the bench, so he can’t be injured. I never went to see the manager on the morning of a game and said I’m not fit. So he’s injured, is he? It’s Rudiger-itis, is it?”

Former City defender Micah Richards quickly dismissed Carragher’s comments, calling them “nonsense.”

“Look at him, look at his narratives,” Richards responded. “It’s just nonsense. Come on, Jamie, you’re better than that.”

In Haaland’s absence, January signing Omar Marmoush led City’s attack after impressing with a hat-trick against Newcastle.

Reacting to the lineup, former Premier League striker Chris Sutton said on BBC Radio 5 Live: “It would be really odd if Erling Haaland isn’t either ill or injured.

“He scored both Man City goals in the first leg. It has to be one of those two things. There is no way that for a game of this magnitude, Pep Guardiola just leaves him out.”

Former goalkeeper Paul Robinson also weighed in: “We certainly weren’t expecting to see a Man City team sheet without Erling Haaland.

“The way Omar Marmoush played at the weekend, it may not be a bad thing for him to get in the side. He is a different type of player, but he will run in behind and cause the Real Madrid defense different problems.

“We all know what Haaland brings to City, though, and it is a big blow for them.”

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