In the high-stakes UEFA Champions League playoff second leg between Real Madrid and Manchester City, the absence of Erling Haaland from the starting lineup has raised eyebrows. The Norwegian striker picked up a knee issue during City’s last Premier League match against Newcastle, leading Pep Guardiola to make a cautious decision and bench his star forward for the clash at the Santiago Bernabéu.

Although Haaland is on the bench and could feature if needed, Omar Marmoush has been given the nod to start up front, fresh off a hat-trick performance against Newcastle.

Confirmed Lineups

Real Madrid:

• Goalkeeper: Thibaut Courtois
• Defenders: Fede Valverde, Antonio Rüdiger, Raúl Asencio, Ferland Mendy
• Midfielders: Aurélien Tchouaméni, Dani Ceballos, Jude Bellingham
• Forwards: Rodrygo, Vinícius Júnior, Kylian Mbappé

 Manchester City:

• Goalkeeper: Ederson
• Defenders: Abduqodir Khusanov, John Stones, Rubén Dias, Josko Gvardiol
• Midfielders: Nico González, Ilkay Gündoğan, Bernardo Silva
• Forwards: Phil Foden, Savinho, Omar Marmoush

Guardiola’s Cautious Approach with Haaland

Pep Guardiola opted not to risk Haaland from the start, prioritizing the striker’s long-term fitness. While initial assessments ruled out any serious injury, Guardiola decided to play it safe.

"It’s both a tactical and medical decision. We want to ensure his long-term health, but he’ll be ready if needed," Guardiola reportedly explained.

With Haaland on the bench, Omar Marmoush has a golden opportunity to shine. The Egyptian forward enters the match in outstanding form after scoring a hat-trick against Newcastle. He’ll look to exploit Real Madrid’s defense and cement his place as a key attacking option for Manchester City.

A Clash of Giants in the Champions League

With Real Madrid fielding a star-studded front three of Mbappé, Vinícius, and Rodrygo, and Manchester City relying on their squad depth, this match is pivotal in deciding which European giant will advance to the Champions League Round of 16.

The big question remains—will Haaland step onto the pitch to make an impact, or can Guardiola’s side seal the deal without their top scorer?