Man City XI vs Chelsea: No Haaland - starting lineup, confirmed team news, injury latest for FA Cup game today
Manchester City are without Erling Haaland for today’s FA Cup semi-final meeting with Chelsea at Wembley due to a muscle injury.
Pep Guardiola’s side switch focus to defending their cup crown after Wednesday’s painful Champions League exit at the hands of Real Madrid by way of an agonising quarter-final penalty shootout.
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The Man City boss confirmed that all of Kevin De Bruyne, Manuel Akanji and Haaland asked to come off during the loss to Madrid, although it initially remained unclear as to whether that was due to injury or fatigue.
It later transpired that Haaland was a doubt with a muscle issue, although Guardiola said De Bruyne was feeling better and he starts today against Chelsea along with Akanji.
Haaland misses out though, with Julian Alvarez leading the attack instead.
"Kevin seems well,” Guardiola said on Friday.
“Erling felt something, a muscular issue. Kevin felt exhausted, so tired, after five months out injured [at the start of the season], so that's normal. We'll see more tomorrow.”
John Stones was only able to muster 10 minutes in extra-time against Madrid, but he’s fine to start at Wembley.
Kyle Walker is now free of his recent hamstring complaint, while Nathan Ake returned to the bench on Wednesday and is named as a starter this afternoon.
Ederson has also shaken off his knock but Stefan Ortega is the usual cup goalkeeper for City.
It’s four changes in total for Guardiola, with Ederson, Ruben Dias, Josko Gvardiol and Haaland replaced by Ortega, Stones, Ake and Alvarez.
Man City XI: Ortega, Walker, Stones, Akanji, Ake, Rodri, De Bruyne, Bernardo, Foden, Grealish, AlvarezSubs: Ederson, Dias, Kovacic, Doku, Gomez, Gvardiol, Nunes, Bobb, Lewis
Injured: Haaland
Time and date: 5:15pm BST on Saturday April 20, 2024
Venue: Wembley
TV channel: BBC One
