Haaland Returns from Injury as Man City Eyes Strong Finish to Disappointing Season
Pep Guardiola confirms striker’s fitness ahead of crucial Premier League run-in and FA Cup final showdown.
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has confirmed that Erling Haaland is ready to return from injury and could feature in this weekend’s clash against Southampton.
The 24-year-old striker has been sidelined since March after suffering an ankle injury during City’s FA Cup tie against Bournemouth. Though named on the bench for last week’s narrow 1–0 win over Wolves, Haaland did not feature. However, Guardiola confirmed on Friday that the Norwegian international is “fit” and available for selection.
“He is ready, he is fit,” Guardiola said. “Whether he will start or not, we will see tomorrow.”
City currently sit third in the Premier League table, just three points ahead of sixth-placed Nottingham Forest, with only the top five securing Champions League qualification this season. After facing Southampton, City will conclude their domestic campaign with matches against Bournemouth and Fulham, before taking on Crystal Palace in the FA Cup final at Wembley on 17 May.
Haaland: "We Lost Our Hunger"
Speaking to ESPN earlier this week, Haaland offered a candid assessment of City’s underwhelming season. The forward admitted that both he and the team have fallen short of expectations.
“You can find excuses—injuries, bad timing—but in the end, we haven’t been good enough,” Haaland said.
“We’ve lost a bit of the hunger. I haven’t been good enough. I haven’t helped the team enough.”
Haaland has still managed to deliver strong numbers, scoring 21 goals in 28 league appearances and 30 goals in all competitions this season, along with four assists. However, he trails Mohamed Salah in the race for the Premier League Golden Boot by seven goals, with just three games remaining.
When asked about Haaland’s remarks, Guardiola responded:
“If that’s how Erling feels, then the players should talk to each other and ask themselves why.”
Guardiola Reflects on His “Most Difficult” Season
Despite his reputation for domestic dominance, this season marks just the fourth time in Pep Guardiola’s managerial career that he has failed to win the league title.
City's campaign has been disrupted by a string of injuries, and a dismal mid-season run—one win in 13 games between October and December—saw them crash out of the Champions League and lose their grip on the Premier League crown.
“This has been the most difficult season in my career,” Guardiola admitted.
“When you don’t win, it’s more emotionally demanding—preparing the team, maintaining the right mood.”
He added:
“I’m disappointed in myself when things don’t go well. But when I look back at my career, I’ll ask, ‘Was I good or bad? Could I have done better?’ Right now, it’s about proving myself every week.”
City won the Community Shield in August with a victory over rivals Manchester United, but with just the FA Cup final and a top-five league finish to play for, Guardiola acknowledges the standards have slipped.
“It’s a business—we have to win games. If not, you can’t stay. This season, we dropped from our highest standards. But even then, we didn’t give up.”
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