Erling Haaland and Kevin De Bruyne shouldn’t start the FA Cup semi-final against Chelsea after asking to come off against Real Madrid.
That’s the view of talkSPORT host and Aston Villa legend Gabby Agbonlahor, who was left stunned by the Manchester City duo’s request.
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City’s superstar duo didn’t make it to the end of the gameCredit: Getty
The reigning European champions lost their chance to retain their title and win the double treble, crashing out to Los Blancos 4-3 on penalties after the game finished 4-4 on aggregate.
But it wasn’t City’s performance that was on Agbonlahor’s mind.
Speaking about the game on talkSPORT Breakfast the following morning, Agbonlahor said: “Last night would’ve took so much out of them City players. They looked shattered.
“I mean we’re going to talk about it, Pep Guardiola came out after the game and said Haaland and De Bruyne asked to be taken off.”
Ex-Scotland striker Alan Brazil interjected and said: “I’m astonished by that.”
Agbonlahor continued: “They asked to be taken off. From fatigue. I think [it was] from niggles or fatigue maybe, but I don’t want to see them on Saturday then in the FA Cup.
“You’re asking to be taken off 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 just see it through? You’re one of the better penalty takers.”
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De Bruyne’s replacement missed his penaltyCredit: AFP
Haaland was replaced by Julian Alvarez on 90 minutes, with De Bruyne then making way for Mateo Kovacic in extra time.
Unfortunately for City, it was Kovacic and Bernardo Silva that went on to miss their penalties in the shootout.
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Guardiola did not explain the reasons behind their withdrawals on Wednesday but, speaking in a press conference on Friday, he revealed Haaland was injured and De Bruyne was fatigued.
Both are now considered doubts for the showdown with Chelsea at Wembley.
The City boss said: “It was a tough game, a lot of action, high intensity for both sides.
“Erling felt something, a muscular issue. That’s why he told me he could not continue.
“The (doctor) said he had a little bit of niggles, a little problem, we will see how his evolution is in the next hours.”
He added: “It’s normal with the amount of games we are playing this season and the previous seasons and not much recovery, and extra time and high intensity.
“We put a lot of pressure in our game and that’s why the fatigue is there. They are human beings. They are not a machine. We are used to it.”
The pair will be key in Man City’s Premier League title run-in, and with games coming thick and fast, both players’ fitness will be vital in the business end of the campaign.
Wider questions have been raised over the form of Haaland, who still has 26 goals in 35 games this season.
Critics have asked whether the Norwegian can offer more besides goals after a quiet display across both legs against Madrid.
Agbonlahor said: “In the games where teams sit back, I want to see him pull off, receive it, and take a couple of players on.
“Sergio Aguero used to do it. Thierry Henry was the best at it. I feel like he [Haaland] can do a bit more.”
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