Manchester City injury update ahead of FA Cup semi-final against Chelsea; major update on Erling Haaland & Kevin De Bruyne

De Bruyne and Haaland could be out of the FA Cup tie vs Chelsea

During Manchester City’s Champions League loss to Real Madrid, Pep Guardiola has stated that Kevin De Bruyne, Erling Haaland, and Manuel Akanji all requested to be substituted out.

Los Blancos exacted revenge on Manchester City after the agonising semi-final loss from the previous season when Antonio Rudiger scored the game’s winning penalty kick to eliminate the champions and dash hopes of an extraordinary double-treble.

Before Kevin De Bruyne levelled the score in the second half, Rodrygo had put Madrid ahead in the match following a thrilling 3-3 draw in the Spanish capital the previous week.

Even though Manchester City dominated the game, they were unable to add to the Belgian’s goal, and moments after netting, De Bruyne himself squandered a great opportunity to put the hosts ahead.

“Erling and Kevin asked me to go out, like Manu, they could not continue,” he said. I don’t know I’m not a doctor. He said a little bit niggles and we’ll see his evolution in the next hours.

“It was a tough game [against Madrid]. 120 mins of action. High intensity for both sides. Erling felt something. A muscular issue that meant he could not continue.

“Kevin was exhausted after five months out injured. That is normal. We will see tomorrow. “It’s normal. The number of games this season and previous seasons, not much recovery and extra time and high intensity the way we play.

“We put a lot of pressure in our game. They are human beings, not machines and sometimes fatigue is there.”

Pep Guardiola on scrapping of FA Cup replay:

‘For the big clubs playing in European competitions it’s much better. We have less games, in our tight schedule there is a lot of games. To find the balance today in world football is the most difficult thing.

‘I understand clubs in lower divisions can complain about that. If we have a game in the Etihad Stadium and we have to go to the Conference or League One, that game is so important for them.’

It’s very sad for the British football culture. But also it’s inevitable. No one can do anything for it. It’s due to the overload in the schedule. That’s dictated by FIFA and UEFA and England is part of UEFA. We are a big competition, we have a big influence and impact on FIFA and UEFA but there are so many other countries and they are making the football schedule.

‘There is so much overload on the players. It has to stop. I feel really sad for the clubs in England football but for top players this is a measure which can make some space in the schedule.’

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In addition, Guardiola praised his team for their “exceptional” dedication throughout a demanding match.

“We created the chances to do it but football is about scoring goals, Madrid did it better from the penalty spot,” he added.

“But I have the opportunity to say thank you from the bottom of my heart to these players. The performance, the commitment was exceptional.”

Two City players missed penalties, including Bernardo Silva, whose meek attempt was easily stopped by Andriy Lunin. Despite this, Guardiola was pleased with the midfielder’s display.

“He said he wanted to take one and he is a reliable player,” he said. But what a game he had.”

After defeating Arsenal on Wednesday night, Madrid advances to the semi-finals where they will play Bayern Munich.

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