Manchester City – Club America 2-1
– He will be ready for the next match. He has had problems. We didn’t want to take any chances. It might be a few minutes against Bayern, we’ll see how it develops. He’s only trained twice so he didn’t want to risk anything. The season is so long, so he will get time, don’t worry, says City manager Guardiola.
– Can you say more about what problems he has had? Did he come back from vacation with an injury?
– No, it was something else. He had problems last season with Dortmund. We try to deal with it. It’s not a big problem. Absolutely not. It’s just that we want to take care of them in the run-up to the season, so they don’t get hurt. The player must be healthy to be ready. That is what we are looking for, says Guardiola to TV 2.
Haaland went through the press zone without a word after City’s 2-1 victory, in which Kevin de Bruyne was the match winner with two goals.
Jærbuen admittedly took plenty of time to sign autographs and pose for pictures on the way to the dressing room.
On Twitter, he writes that he will hopefully make his debut against Bayern Munich on the night of Sunday Norwegian time.
– He didn’t train that much at the start. He is slowly making his way back. I give everyone time. He will be sharp when he needs to be, says match winner De Bruyne to TV 2.
It was no great surprise that Haaland, who turned 22 a few hours before kick-off Norwegian time, was listed on the bench for Manchester City ahead of tonight’s practice match against Club América in Houston.
The Norwegian did not train with his teammates last week and completed his first regular training session as late as Sunday after the trip to the USA.
The 61,223 spectators at NRG Stadium in Houston, many of them wearing City’s light blue colours, still had hope of seeing Haaland’s debut for his new club.
In the corridor at the stadium, children stood in a row waiting for Haaland after the rest of his teammates had run past them and onto the pitch to warm up.
“Haaland! Haaland!”, shouted the children, but they were not allowed to greet the archer until they were ordered up to the stands.
City’s new number nine stayed in the dressing room throughout the warm-up and only appeared a few minutes before kick-off.
– GREETING THE FANS: Erling Braut Haaland was not dressed to play football. Photo: Daniel Sannum Lauten / TV 2
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Haaland wore a hoodie and sneakers together with centre-back Ruben Días, who was out of the squad due to illness in the last few days.
Haaland’s outfit indicated that it was not relevant for him to play. He also did not sit on the bench with his teammates, but close to Días and members of the support apparatus.
– GOOD MOOD: Erling Braut Haaland during the match. Photo: Daniel Sannum Lauten / TV 2
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After the break, Haaland also came out again wearing his everyday outfit. When he appeared on the big screen in NRG Stadium two minutes into the second half, a roar of cheers echoed throughout the arena.
20 minutes before the end, Haaland again appeared on the screen. Again there was a roar of jubilation, followed by “Haaland, Haaland” shouts, and the star forward smiled slyly.
It was the closest the Americans got to seeing him in action this time.
– DOWN TOUR: Erling Braut Haaland did not make his debut for Manchester City. Photo: Daniel Sannum Lauten / TV 2
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Manchester City has not come up with any explanation as to why Haaland did not play. Pep Guardiola will probably answer for that at the press conference after the match.
Oscar Bobb was on the bench for Manchester City and did not make his debut for the light blues either.
Manchester City won the match 2-1 thanks to two goals from Kevin de Bruyne. Henry Martin scored the goal for Mexican Club América.
On the night of Sunday Norwegian time, there will be a new opportunity for Haaland and Bobb in the training match against Bayern Munich. It is played in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
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