Erling Haaland and Kevin De Bruyne are not expected to start the FA Cup semi-final after asking to withdraw against Real Madrid.
That’s the view of talkSPORT host and Aston Villa legend Gabby Agbonlahor, who was stunned by the Manchester City duo’s request.
The reigning Champions League champions lost their chance to retain their title and win the double treble, losing to Los Blancos 4-3 on penalties after the match finished 4-4 on aggregate.
But it wasn’t City’s performance that worried Agbonlahor.
Speaking about the match on talkSPORT Breakfast the following morning, Agbonlahor said: “Last night would have taken so much from the City players. They looked broken.
“I mean, we’ll talk about it, Pep Guardiola came out after the game and said Haaland and De Bruyne asked to be sent off.
Former Scotland striker Alan Brazil weighed in and said: “I’m amazed by this.”
Agbonlahor continued: “They asked to be removed. Out of fatigue. I think [it was] maybe because of problems or fatigue, but I don’t want to see them on Saturday and then in the FA Cup.
“You ask to be knocked out in the biggest game of the season when your team needs you. Especially Haaland, who for me was poor.
“And Kevin De Bruyne, 111 minutes, surely you have just achieved that? You are one of the best penalty takers.”
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Haaland was replaced by Julian Alvarez in the 90th minute, with De Bruyne then giving way to Mateo Kovacic in extra time.
Unfortunately for City, it was Kovacic and Bernardo Silva who missed their spot-kicks in the penalty shootout, leading to Guardiola’s side being eliminated from the competition.
“They asked me to come out,” Guardiola said of the decision to remove the duo after the match. “They couldn’t continue.”
Both players will play a key role in Man City’s Premier League title race, and with matches intense and fast-paced, the fitness of both players will be vital to the business end of the campaign.
For now, Man City will prepare to face Chelsea in the FA Cup semi-final this Saturday, as they look to seal one of their two remaining chances of winning silverware this season.
Wider questions have been raised over the form of Haaland, who still has 26 goals in 35 games this season.
Critics questioned whether the Norwegian could offer more than goals after a quiet performance in the two matches against Madrid.
Agbonlahor said: “In games where teams stay behind, I want to see him succeed, receive him and take on a few players.
“Sergio Aguero was doing it. Thierry Henry was the best at it. I feel like he [Haaland] I can do a little more. »
Erling Haaland and Kevin De Bruyne are not expected to start the FA Cup semi-final after asking to withdraw against Real Madrid.
That’s the view of talkSPORT host and Aston Villa legend Gabby Agbonlahor, who was stunned by the Manchester City duo’s request.
The reigning Champions League champions lost their chance to retain their title and win the double treble, losing to Los Blancos 4-3 on penalties after the match finished 4-4 on aggregate.
But it wasn’t City’s performance that worried Agbonlahor.
Speaking about the match on talkSPORT Breakfast the following morning, Agbonlahor said: “Last night would have taken so much from the City players. They looked broken.
“I mean, we’ll talk about it, Pep Guardiola came out after the game and said Haaland and De Bruyne asked to be sent off.
Former Scotland striker Alan Brazil weighed in and said: “I’m amazed by this.”
Agbonlahor continued: “They asked to be removed. Out of fatigue. I think [it was] maybe because of problems or fatigue, but I don’t want to see them on Saturday and then in the FA Cup.
“You ask to be knocked out in the biggest game of the season when your team needs you. Especially Haaland, who for me was poor.
“And Kevin De Bruyne, 111 minutes, surely you have just achieved that? You are one of the best penalty takers.”
Most read in the Champions League
Haaland was replaced by Julian Alvarez in the 90th minute, with De Bruyne then giving way to Mateo Kovacic in extra time.
Unfortunately for City, it was Kovacic and Bernardo Silva who missed their spot-kicks in the penalty shootout, leading to Guardiola’s side being eliminated from the competition.
“They asked me to come out,” Guardiola said of the decision to remove the duo after the match. “They couldn’t continue.”
Both players will play a key role in Man City’s Premier League title race, and with matches intense and fast-paced, the fitness of both players will be vital to the business end of the campaign.
For now, Man City will prepare to face Chelsea in the FA Cup semi-final this Saturday, as they look to seal one of their two remaining chances of winning silverware this season.
Wider questions have been raised over the form of Haaland, who still has 26 goals in 35 games this season.
Critics questioned whether the Norwegian could offer more than goals after a quiet performance in the two matches against Madrid.
Agbonlahor said: “In games where teams stay behind, I want to see him succeed, receive him and take on a few players.
“Sergio Aguero was doing it. Thierry Henry was the best at it. I feel like he [Haaland] I can do a little more. »