Pep Guardiola says Erling Haaland is ‘not comfortable’ after he was brought off at half-time in Manchester City’s 2-2 friendly draw with Barcelona in Orlando, Florida, on Tuesday.
Haaland — who has scored 90 goals in 98 appearances across all competitions since signing from Borussia Dortmund in July 2022 — had just 11 touches of the ball and completed only four passes in a subdued performance against the Blaugrana before being brought off at the break.
It’s the second time in a row the Norway international has been withdrawn after 45 minutes after he was brought off in a 3-2 defeat to AC Milan — in which he scored after 19 minutes.
Guardiola has admitted he has one eye on the coming season in regard to Haaland’s fitness, with the Community Shield clash against Manchester United at Wembley just over a week away.
“Erling is not comfortable,” Guardiola said after the 2-2 stalemate, which Barcelona won via a penalty shootout (via Sky Sports). “We don’t want to take risks. But sooner or later he has to take a step with training and minutes.
“The season is there, around the corner. He has niggles, muscular, we don’t want to take a risk and lose him for three weeks or a month. That would be a problem.”
Man City have just one more friendly to go before they start the new season, taking on Premier League rivals Chelsea in Columbus, Ohio, on Saturday at 10:30pm (UK time).