Champions League: Rudiger will face a different Haaland at Etihad -Guardiola

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola expects the real Erling Haaland to stand up in Wednesday’s Champions League second leg against Real Madrid.

Haaland was kept quiet by Antonio Rudiger in last week’s Bernabeu draw but 35 of the Norwegian’s 51 goals have come at The Etihad and Guardiola thinks the rematch will be ‘easier’ for his star striker who has just been voted Footballer of the Year.

‘Congratulations to Rudiger but Erling, we cannot forget, is 22 and it was the first time he has played in the semi-finals of the Champions League,’ said the City manager. 

‘For the first time to go to the Bernabeu, one of the biggest stages, against a top-class club with good defenders, midfielders and strikers, next time will be a little bit easier.

‘If the team is able to play a little bit better in some departments in the way we are thinking for Wednesday, maybe it would be easier for him.

 ‘At the end it is what we are trying to do. He fought a lot and showed incredible commitment in what he had to do in Madrid.’Haaland was brought in from Borussia Dortmund last summer with fans hoping he would be the final piece in the City jigsaw as they seek their first Champions League trophy.

Rudiger, already an unpopular figure among City fans for injuring Kevin De Bruyne in Chelsea’s 2021 Champions League final win, stuck close to the Norwegian and is set to keep his place despite Brazil’s Eder Militao being available.

Guardiola is backing his striker and could even play him in Sunday's Premier League game at Everton before unleashing him against Real.

‘I am pretty sure he is ready, first for Sunday and then the next games,’ the manager added.

Haaland was last week voted the best player in England this season by a record margin with 82 per cent of votes.