Pep Guardiola confirms Haaland absence ahead of Brighton trip

Manchester City’s pursuit of the Premier League title faces a setback as manager Pep Guardiola confirms star striker Erling Haaland will miss the upcoming match against Brighton on Thursday.

BBC reporter Simon Stone has verified Guardiola’s crucial announcement regarding Haaland’s fitness, shedding light on the team’s lineup for the pivotal fixture.

Amidst a grueling schedule, Guardiola’s side prepares to visit the Amex Stadium, aiming to keep pace in the title race.

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Guardiola recently lambasted the “unacceptable” scheduling after City’s FA Cup victory over Chelsea, lamenting the proximity of matches following their Champions League exit to Real Madrid.

Haaland’s absence compounds City’s challenges, with the Norwegian striker already battling a muscle injury that sidelined him during crucial encounters, including the FA Cup semifinal against Chelsea.

Guardiola confirms double Injury boost despite Halaand’s setback

Manchester City striker, Erling Haaland — Erling Haaland is ruled out as City travels to the AMEX stadium.

Guardiola confirmed the unavailability of Haaland but reassured fans of the availability of key players John Stones and Phil Foden for selection.

“Erling is not ready for tomorrow. The other two are ready,” he said in his pre-match press conference.

“It’s not a big issue but he’s not available,” he continued on the striker.

Despite the setback, Guardiola downplayed concerns over Haaland’s absence, stating that it’s “not a big issue.”

Nonetheless, Haaland’s absence poses a significant blow to City’s attacking prowess as they embark on a challenging trip to Brighton.

City’s pursuit of the title intensifies as they seek to bridge the gap with league leaders Arsenal, who currently hold a four-point advantage.

With two games in hand, Guardiola’s men aim to capitalize on their fixtures to narrow the deficit and maintain pressure on Mikel Arteta‘s side.

As anticipation builds for the crucial clash against Brighton, City supporters remain hopeful for a swift recovery for Haaland while trusting in Guardiola’s ability to navigate the challenges ahead in their pursuit of domestic glory.