Coach Pep Guardiola took Erling Haaland out at half-time as a precaution on Saturday against Bournemouth (6-1), but the striker does not suffer from any serious injury, the technician said after Manchester City's victory.
The Norwegian center forward suffered a “twisted ankle,” Guardiola told the BBC. “We didn’t want to take any risks with him, he didn’t feel comfortable,” he said. The Citizens' top scorer this season, however, remains uncertain for the reception of Young Boys in Bern on Tuesday in the Champions League. He is expected to travel to Chelsea next weekend in the league.
“He will be back maybe Tuesday (or) maybe next Sunday,” Guardiola said. The Manchester City coach was particularly complimentary of Jérémy Doku, involved in his team's first five goals, and Bernardo Silva, very prominent against Bournemouth.
“He integrated so quickly,” he said of Doku, who arrived this summer from Rennes. “It's not just today, but also in all the matches he played, he played very well.” As for Silva, “he is an extraordinary player, he scored two great goals. The action of the second goal is from (Lionel) Messi, Messi has done that several times. Everyone is so happy to have him here.”