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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
Will Unwin

Pep Guardiola denies Haaland missed Real Madrid defeat due to ‘Rüdiger-itis’

Manchester City’s Erling Haaland reacts after an injury during the Premier League match against Newcastle.
Erling Haaland sustained a knee injury against Newcastle last week. Photograph: Robbie Jay Barratt/AMA/Getty Images

Pep Guardiola was stunned into silence by Jamie Carragher’s ­suggestion that Erling Haaland missed Manchester City’s defeat at Real Madrid because he did not want to face Antonio Rüdiger. The Norwegian was an unused ­substitute in Spain after telling Guardiola he was unfit to take any part because of a knee injury suffered against Newcastle.

Haaland is a doubt for Sunday’s home game against Carragher’s ­former club Liverpool. Carragher said on CBS’s Champions League coverage on Wednesday that the striker might be suffering from “Rüdiger-itis” and that is why he told Guardiola he was not available for selection.

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