Erling Haaland missed the FA Cup game at Newcastle, marking his second absence in Manchester City's last three matches across all competitions. According to major media reports, Haaland picked up an ankle injury in training last week, which previously forced him out of the Premier League win at Leeds. He returned for the Nottingham Forest game in midweek but looked laboured in the 2-2 draw.
The decision was taken to leave Haaland out for the FA Cup fifth round tie at Newcastle. Pep Guardiola played down concerns about Haaland, stating the striker was always planned to rest this weekend. 'How many finals have we played in the last years and semi-finals?
A lot. That means the FA Cup is so important. We're going to travel to Newcastle to win the game to play in the next round,' Guardiola said, emphasizing his commitment to the competition.
How many finals have we played in the last years and semi-finals? A lot. That means the FA Cup is so important. We're going to travel to Newcastle to win the game to play in the next round.
However, Guardiola is clearly thinking about the Champions League, with the focus on Haaland training well ahead of the Real Madrid game on Wednesday. Guardiola made ten changes from the draw with Forest, with Matheus Nunes the only player from the Forest XI to keep their place. In Haaland's absence, Omar Marmoush starts up front.
Savinho and Jeremy Doku make their first starts since picking up injuries in January and February respectively. Nico O'Reilly returns to the matchday squad after missing the win over Forest with an ankle injury picked up at Leeds, and he goes straight back into the starting lineup. Nico Gonzalez comes back into the team and will play alongside Nico O'Reilly and Tijjani Reijnders in midfield.
John Stones captains the team in central defence. Guardiola said he would take a team to St James' Park to book a place in the quarter-finals, aiming to advance in the FA Cup despite the lineup changes. Guardiola will have more to consider with Haaland's absence, as Marmoush steps into the team, potentially affecting City's attacking dynamics in this cup fixture.