City have received a reassuring update on Erling Haaland after the striker appeared to limp off during Norway’s Nations League defeat against Portugal.
We reported earlier today that Haaland had asked to be substituted in the 67th minute after appearing to signal towards the Norway bench before leaving the pitch. At that stage there was no explanation for his withdrawal, making his condition the obvious concern for City.
Norway manager Stale Solbakken has now provided one. Haaland was tired rather than injured, with his withdrawal apparently planned following discussions before the game.
Solbakken explains Haaland substitution
“We were hoping for 60 minutes after the conversation we had yesterday, and he managed 65 minutes,” Solbakken said, as quoted by the Manchester Evening News.
That changes the picture considerably from immediately after the final whistle. Haaland appeared uncomfortable as he departed, but Solbakken’s explanation suggests Norway were already managing his workload rather than reacting to a fresh injury.
Teammate Leo Ostigard also pointed towards fatigue.
“It’s clear that you want him on the field as long as possible. But he plays an incredible number of games, and he’s a human being too,” he said.
Patrick Berg offered a similar explanation, noting that Haaland had played all three of Norway’s previous games before facing Portugal and saying it wasn’t particularly surprising that his energy eventually ran out.
That workload is significant for City. Haaland has scored seven goals in seven appearances for Enzo Maresca’s side this season and remains central to their attack.
Reassuring news before Liverpool and PSG
City return to Premier League action with a trip to Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday before facing Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League three days later.
The Liverpool fixture will also be City’s first since the verdict in their long-running Premier League case, with the club found guilty of 114 of 115 charges and now pursuing an appeal. Haaland’s response to that situation was covered in our recent report following the verdict.
Solbakken also explained that Haaland was among several Norway players who left promptly after the Portugal game.
“It wasn’t just Haaland who left early,” he said. “There’s a whole bunch of people leaving now. They need a breather.”
The Norway manager went on to highlight the demands being placed on players following the World Cup and a limited summer break, describing the current workload as an “extreme strain”.
There has been no formal medical update from City, so it would be premature to declare Haaland completely clear ahead of Anfield. What has emerged from the Norway camp, though, is considerably more reassuring than the sight of him leaving the pitch against Portugal.
The immediate concern was that City might have another injury to contend with. Solbakken’s explanation indicates instead that Haaland had simply reached his limit for the night, with his substitution effectively anticipated before kick-off.
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