Pep Guardiola Explains Haaland’s Absence in Man City’s Clash with Wolves
Pep Guardiola provided insights into Erling Haaland’s recent absence from the starting lineup in Manchester City’s match against Wolverhampton Wanderers. The manager emphasized the need for Haaland to mentally and physically reset, as he had largely been the team’s focal point in previous fixtures.
Haaland’s Position and Performance
For the match held at the Etihad Stadium, Haaland was named among the substitutes. This marked his first game of the Premier League season where he was not in the starting eleven, having previously led the team in their opening 22 matches of the season. Omar Marmoush replaced Haaland in the starting lineup, making his first top-flight start since August 31.
Background on Haaland’s Substitution
The last time Haaland did not start in a Premier League match was against Wolverhampton on May 2, 2025. He was sidelined due to an ankle injury then. Guardiola explained to Sky Sports, “It’s a lot of games. I want to clean his mind and body.”
This season, Haaland has scored 26 goals across 31 matches, although he has netted just once in his last five Premier League appearances. His recent performance included being substituted during a match against Manchester United, which was a noteworthy decision from Guardiola as it was the first time he was pulled off while the team was pursuing a victory.
Strategic Changes in the Team
- Phil Foden
- Jeremy Doku
- Rico Lewis
- Max Alleyne
- Nathan Ake
These players were among the six changes Guardiola made following the defeat to United. Defender Marc Guehi made his debut for City as part of this lineup adjustment. Guardiola had previously highlighted the importance of resting Haaland, acknowledging that he was “exhausted.”
Marmoush’s Return
Marmoush had been absent from the team due to national duties in the Africa Cup of Nations. Guardiola noted that his return was crucial to provide relief for Haaland. The manager stated, “Hopefully Omar will be back soon to give rest to Erling.”
Future Expectations
Guardiola’s decision to bench Haaland raises questions about the player’s form. Fatigue may be affecting his performance, a sentiment echoed with other regular starters like Foden. The hope is that both players will return more robustly in subsequent matches.
