Manchester City, the title holders, will qualify for the knockout stages of the UEFA Champions League with two group stage matches left if they win against Young Boys tomorrow, Tuesday, but they may have to do so without Erling Haaland. The Norwegian goal machine sustained an ankle sprain during a dominant 6-1 victory over Bournemouth in the Premier League, and there are doubts about his participation in the match against the Swiss club in Group G.
A draw may also be sufficient for City to secure a top-two finish in the group, but coach Pep Guardiola is unlikely to change his lineup much until he ensures the first position. However, he may prefer not to risk playing Haaland with the upcoming match against Chelsea in the Premier League on Sunday.
Guardiola said to reporters: "He trained this afternoon, so I don’t know. We will talk with the doctors. He told me yesterday that he feels much better, but I don't know. I will listen to him; if he says he is ready and doesn't feel any pain, I will consider allowing him to play. From Tuesday to Sunday, there are many matches ahead."
He added: "Right now, if Erling is not ready, Julián Álvarez will play."
If City avoids slipping up against Young Boys, whom they defeated 3-1 away last month, it will mean that Guardiola will not have lost in 17 Champions League matches, breaking his previous record with Barcelona between 2011 and 2012.
Manchester United is the only English team with a longer unbeaten streak in European Cup/Champions League history, having gone 25 matches without defeat from 2007 to 2009.
