Manchester City could be without key duo Erling Haaland and Kevin De Bruyne for their FA Cup clash against Chelsea.
City boss Pep Guardiola has admitted both men are doubts for Sunday’s game at Wembley after an already difficult week for the Premier League champions.
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Haaland was knocked out against Real Madrid in the Champions League as City crashed out to Carlo Ancelotti’s side on penalties.
Guardiola admitted the Norway international asked to be sent off over injury fears.
“We will see,” Guardiola said when asked if Haaland would be fit for the FA Cup semi-final.
“It was a difficult match, a lot of action, high intensity on both sides. Erling felt something, a muscle problem. That’s why he told me he couldn’t continue.
“The (doctor) said he had some little concerns, a little problem, we will see how his progress goes in the next few hours.”
Haaland has scored twice in his last seven games and has kept clean sheets in two matches against Real Madrid as well as in high-profile matches against Liverpool, Arsenal and Newcastle.
However, the 23-year-old has still scored 31 times this season in all competitions, including five goals against Luton Town in the FA Cup.
Haaland wasn’t the only one to ask to leave the pitch as De Bruyne also told Guardiola he had a problem, while both their requests shocked a talkSPORT pundit.
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However, even if the Belgian still has doubts, there is a greater chance that he will play against Chelsea than against Haaland.
“Kevin felt exhausted, so tired, after five months out, injured (earlier in the season), so it’s normal,” Guardiola said.
“It’s normal with the number of games we play this season… They are human beings. They are not a machine. We are used to it.”
De Bruyne missed much of the season early in the campaign with a serious hamstring, but returned to action earlier this year.
City will be desperate to win the FA Cup now that they have crashed out of the Champions League.
Last season they completed an incredible treble, but any chance of repeating this year went up in smoke at the Etihad on Wednesday night.
Mateo Kovacic and Bernardo Silva missed penalties to give Real Madrid victory after De Bruyne canceled out Rodrygo’s early strike.
With the Premier League also shaping up to be an uphill battle, there is a chance City could go without a trophy at all this season.
City may be top of the table with six games remaining, but Guardiola insisted his side are eager to win the FA Cup.
“We have no other option,” added Guardiola.
“In football you lose games. We tried our best and we didn’t manage to win. We have to accept that.”
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