PEP GUARDIOLA fumed at “not nice” claims Erling Haaland ducked last week’s Euro blockbuster because he is scared of Antonio Rudiger. The Manchester City striker was an unused sub in their Champions League mauling at Real Madrid with a knee injury.
![[Pep Guardiola, manager of Manchester City.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/2024-25-league-knockout-play-973402055.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
But Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher reckons the Norway ace wanted to avoid Real’s fit-again centre-back Rudiger, 31. Speaking as pundit on CBS, he said: “It’s Rudiger-itis is it? Is that what we’re saying here?”. Ahead of City hosting the Reds on Sunday, Guardiola shook his head in disbelief when told of Carra’s stunning comments.
He said: “Oh, God. Did he say that? Jamie Carragher said that? Oh God. Don’t laugh. I don’t know why he makes that suspicious, you know that?. “Did he say that Haaland didn’t want to play the game? It’s not nice — and it’s not true. “He was crazy to play the game but had a problem with his knee and could not play.”.
It comes ahead of the Etihad fixture, which has become increasingly ill-tempered, and Haaland, 24, faces a late test to make the City line-up. CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS. And he will be desperate to make it after Kop legend Carragher’s taunts.
Carragher, 47, said: “So let me work this out. Haaland has gone to the manager this morning and said he’s not fit?. “Do you think it’s got something to do with Rudiger? Is that because Rudiger is playing?. “He’s on the bench so he can’t be injured. I never went to see the manager on the morning of a game and said I’m not fit. So he’s injured, is he?”.
