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Manchester City striker Erling Haaland spoke about Kylian Mbappe being on the Real Madrid bench for their Champions League game
Erling Haaland was 'not happy' to see Kylian Mbappe on the Real Madrid bench but admitted it gave Manchester City a boost before the game. The French superstar did not train on the eve of the game and was deemed not fit enough to feature as Xabi Alonso's side fell to a 2-1 defeat.
Last month Leverkusen were stunned to see a City teamsheet with 10 changes from the side that had lost days earlier to Newcastle. The Bundesliga side were emboldened by Pep Guardiola resting so many of his key men and went on to humble the Blues with a 2-0 defeat that threatened City's chances of finishing in the top eight.
Alonso would have called on star striker Mbappe if he could, but had to leave him on the bench as a result of fitness concerns and City took full advantage. While Rodrygo gave the home team the lead, Nico O'Reilly turned in an equaliser from a corner and Haaland then scored from the penalty spot after being hauled down by Toni Rudiger in the box.
"Of course, we know about their injuries. We have a few as well but they have many injuries," said Haaland. "You don’t want anyone to be injured but we expected him to play. When a player like Kylian does not play, you’re not happy because you want to play against the best but it gives you a bit of a psychological boost."
City's win lifts them to fourth in the 36-team table with just two games to go. Victories over Bodo Glimt and Galatasaray next month will guarantee their place in the top eight and also earn them extra advantages for the knockout stages, transforming the mood from a few weeks ago when they were stunned by Leverkusen.
"It could have looked completely different today if we didn’t win because we lost against Leverkusen so this win is really important," said Haaland. "Now we have two more games left, so we need to finish strong and hopefully we can be in the first eight because then we’re through."
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