Pep Guardiola dropped a heavy hint that he is prioritising the Champions League by taking Erling Haaland off at half-time as Manchester City defeated Leicester 3-1.
Haaland had scored twice to put City two goals ahead against the Foxes at half-time. Guardiola's side travel to Bayern Munich on Wednesday for the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final clash, in which they hold a commanding lead.
But the Spaniard showed he will not be taking any chances in Germany by bringing off his star striker, despite him being on a hat-trick. His goals in the first-half took him to 32 in the Premier League this season, equalling Mohamed Salah's record for strikes in a 38-game campaign.
Alan Shearer and Andy Cole hold the all-time Premier League record, though their 34 goals came in a 42-game season. It is the sixth time in all competitions this campaign that Haaland has been subbed off while looking for a hat-trick.
Guardiola has made it clear that he will not risk Haaland getting injured if he can help it though. The City boss opted to bring both Haaland and John Stones off at half-time, with his side in total control over Leicester.
Julian Alvarez and Manuel Akanji were their two replacements, while first-choice midfielder Rodri was also brought off soon into the second-half. Haaland's first goal came from a penalty after Wilfried Ndidi's handball before he slotted in a second from Kevin de Bruyne's through ball.
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That was enough to see him equal Salah's record, with eight matches of the season remaining. It also convinced Guardiola that he could afford to take off the Norwegian, with former Liverpool star Jamie Redknapp supportive of the move.
"He can make changes now, Pep, and the capabilities of the players he can bring on. Look, he’s resting Haaland, resting Stones, for what is going to be a big night in the Champions League," Redknapp told Sky Sports.
"You’re bringing on a World Cup winner, the changes that Man City can make, the luxury they have, is just incredible. It’s [the penalty] not the cleanest of strikes but right now this guy doesn’t miss, does he? He’s in incredible form. Sort of scuffs it into that corner, but he’s unstoppable.
"It must be a joy for Haaland, every time Kevin de Bruyne gets his head up he plays the right pass at the right pace. Just a brilliant team effort and they’re gonna eclipse that record, probably by the end of the day."
Haaland also scored in City's win over Bayern in the first leg of the quarter-final, with the Premier League side taking a 3-0 aggregate lead with them to Germany. But given he has not won the competition since leaving Barcelona, Guardiola is taking no chances.
His side look likely to face Real Madrid in the semi-finals, with Los Blancos travelling to Chelsea for the second leg of their last eight tie on Tuesday, having built a two goal lead.
