Pep Guardiola has confirmed that Erling Haaland will miss Manchester City’s trip to face Brighton on Thursday night.
Haaland has been ruled out of the clash against the Seagulls with a muscular issue, having also sat out the weekend win over Chelsea in the FA Cup semi-finals.
The absence of the club’s leading scorer is a blow to the Blues, who sit four points behind Premier League leaders Arsenal, though have two games in hand.
“Erling is not ready for tomorrow. The other two (Phil Foden and John Stones) are ready,” Guardiola said Wednesday’s pre-match press conference.
“It’s not a big issue but he’s not available.”
Guardiola called the trip to the Amex Stadium one of the toughest tests of the season for his side and reiterated his admiration for Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi.
“Tomorrow is one of the toughest games of the season,” Guardiola said.
“Brighton away if you put in my calendar is always one of the toughest ones for the way they play. My admiration for Roberto de Zerbi is growing ever season. Facing his side is harder.
“They have had a lot of problems. Important players were sold. They lost Colwill, Mac Allister, Caicedo… all very important players and they have had a lot of injuries.
“They played in more competitions [but] the way they play always is there. What he has done is an incredible, incredible job in Brighton.”
City will be crowned champions for a record-breaking fourth season in a row if the club can win all of their remaining six games and Guardiola said he relishes the pressure of the Premier League title run-in.
“Yes. I enjoy the most. But in November and December, I always enjoy too. Every game is adrenalin. Every game is important. But yes it’s decisive. Every mistake or every step back makes it more difficult. It is what it is.
“We have been here in the last years fortunately many times so that’s why we know what we are playing for. The best for the players is important. I don’t play. What’s important is the players have to be the best.”
