- Guardiola provided fitness update on Haaland and Grealish
- Rested six first-team players against Newcastle
- Man City face Real Madrid on Wednesday
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WHAT HAPPENED?
Manchester City suffered a massive scare during their 4-0 win over Newcastle United in the Premier League last weekend as star striker Haaland limped out of the ground in the 87th minute. Several other City stars were rested in the league clash as Pep Guardiola made six changes to the team that faced Los Blancos last Wednesday.
WHAT PEP GUARDIOLA SAID
At his pre-match press conference, Guardiola was quizzed on the condition of Haaland, Grealish, Nathan Ake and Ruben Dias. The manager replied: "Yes they have travelled, we will see tomorrow but it's good they are here."
THE BIGGER PICTURE
The Cityzens boss was further asked why Grealish was excluded from the matchday squad against the Magpies, to which he replied: "He was able to play a really good game in the FA Cup but he doesn’t have the consistency to play three games a week, he was not able to do it. Hopefully, now, he is able to for the last few months of the season he can get it."
WHAT NEXT FOR MANCHESTER CITY?
The reigning English champions will attempt to overturn the 3-2 deficit from the first leg and beat Los Blancos at their den to qualify for the round of 16. Guardiola, though, has claimed that his team has only a one percent chance of progressing to the knockout stage.