Manchester City, the current holders, are set to qualify for the Champions League knockout rounds with two games to spare if they secure a victory over Young Boys on Tuesday. However, they may have to face this challenge without their star player, Erling Haaland.
The Norwegian striker, known for his goal-scoring prowess, twisted his ankle during a 6-1 victory over Bournemouth in the Premier League. His participation in the upcoming clash with the Swiss club in Group G is uncertain. While a draw would likely secure City a top-two spot, manager Pep Guardiola is expected to maintain a strong team until the top spot is guaranteed.
Guardiola may choose to rest Haaland, particularly with a crucial Premier League match against Chelsea looming on Sunday. “He trains this afternoon, so I don’t know. We’ll speak with the doctors,” Guardiola told reporters. “Yesterday he told me he feels much better, but I don’t know. I will listen to him, if he says I am ready, and I don’t have pain I will consider to let him play. Tuesday to Sunday, there are a lot of games to come. Right now, if Erling isn’t ready, Julian (Alvarez) will play there.”
If City manage to avoid a defeat against Young Boys, who they beat 3-1 away last month, it will extend Guardiola’s unbeaten streak in the Champions League to 17 matches. This breaks his previous record at Barcelona between 2011 and 2012. Only Manchester United have had a longer unbeaten run among English teams in European Cup/Champions League history, with a 25-match streak from 2007 to 2009.
When asked about his team’s consistency, Guardiola said: “Incredible. Tomorrow we will try to finish and qualify for February and the next stage. We will try to finish first. That definitively is better.”
City currently lead the group with a maximum of nine points. Their only serious rivals in the group, RB Leipzig, trail with six points. Leipzig will face Red Star Belgrade on Tuesday.
