Haaland ready to face Liverpool in Community Shield, confirms Guardiola
Erling Haaland is fit enough to play a role in Manchester City's Community Shield clash with Liverpool on Saturday, manager Pep Guardiola has confirmed.
The 22-year-old has played just 40 minutes of pre-season action since joining City from Borussia Dortmund at the start of this transfer window.
Guardiola has carefully managed Haaland's fitness due to the prolific striker carrying a few minor issues, but is ready to use him against Liverpool this weekend.
"He's ready to play on Saturday, and the first impression as a guy is really good, a funny guy. He's integrated into the team really well. That's important," Guardiola said. /p>
"Apparently people don't think it's one of the most important things, but it's...the good vibes in the locker room are more important than any advice or anything else you can. say.
"We try to settle in well as a family, we try to get to know each other in training, we can see what we want to do, what we have done in previous seasons. Quality will do the rest. ”
Haaland has scored 86 goals in 89 appearances in all competitions for Dortmund; only Robert Lewandowski (122) and Kylian Mbappe (89) have scored more times among players in Europe's top five leagues during this period.
The Norway international needed just 12 minutes to score on his City debut with the winner against Bayern Munich last week, and Guardiola is happy with the former Salzburg striker's condition.< /p>
“He feels good. When I spoke with him the last few days, he feels a little [of niggles], but he can train and move. At the end of August, he will be better than now,” said declared Guardiola.
"Now we have one game a week, with more training. After that we start the crazy program - three days, four days.
"I think for Liverpool and ourselves, I think we come into this competition a bit early, but the opportunity to play the Community Shield is still too early. We have to adapt."
Erling Haaland is fit enough to play a role in Manchester City's Community Shield clash with Liverpool on Saturday, manager Pep Guardiola has confirmed.
The 22-year-old has played just 40 minutes of pre-season action since joining City from Borussia Dortmund at the start of this transfer window.
Guardiola has carefully managed Haaland's fitness due to the prolific striker carrying a few minor issues, but is ready to use him against Liverpool this weekend.
"He's ready to play on Saturday, and the first impression as a guy is really good, a funny guy. He's integrated into the team really well. That's important," Guardiola said. /p>
"Apparently people don't think it's one of the most important things, but it's...the good vibes in the locker room are more important than any advice or anything else you can. say.
"We try to settle in well as a family, we try to get to know each other in training, we can see what we want to do, what we have done in previous seasons. Quality will do the rest. ”
Haaland has scored 86 goals in 89 appearances in all competitions for Dortmund; only Robert Lewandowski (122) and Kylian Mbappe (89) have scored more times among players in Europe's top five leagues during this period.
The Norway international needed just 12 minutes to score on his City debut with the winner against Bayern Munich last week, and Guardiola is happy with the former Salzburg striker's condition.< /p>
“He feels good. When I spoke with him the last few days, he feels a little [of niggles], but he can train and move. At the end of August, he will be better than now,” said declared Guardiola.
"Now we have one game a week, with more training. After that we start the crazy program - three days, four days.
"I think for Liverpool and ourselves, I think we come into this competition a bit early, but the opportunity to play the Community Shield is still too early. We have to adapt."
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