Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca has discussed the options available to cover for Erling Haaland as the club prepares for the start of its Champions League campaign.
The Italian coach acknowledged that Haaland is unlikely to be named in the starting line-up for every match. Maresca said the decision was being considered with the Norway striker’s workload in mind, as he does not want to place excessive demands on the forward over the course of the season.
Haaland’s potential replacement will therefore become an important selection issue for Manchester City, particularly as the club begins its European schedule. Maresca has spoken about the alternatives available to him, although no specific replacement has been identified in the information provided.
Manchester City are due to play their opening match of the league phase of the Champions League on Tuesday, when they travel to face Porto. The fixture is scheduled to begin at 22:00 Moscow time.
The match will be the first test of the approach outlined by Maresca. If Haaland is rested or starts on the bench, Manchester City will have to use another option in the central attacking role against Porto.
Maresca’s comments indicate that Haaland’s involvement will be managed rather than guaranteed from the beginning of every game. The Italian coach’s stated priority is to avoid overloading the Norwegian striker, making rotation a possibility even in important fixtures.
For Manchester City, the issue is especially relevant with Tuesday’s Champions League opener arriving at the start of a demanding period. Haaland remains central to the team’s attacking plans, but Maresca has made clear that his selection will not automatically be the same in every match.
The focus will now turn to the team sheet at Porto and the identity of the player chosen to replace Haaland should the striker not start. The fixture provides the immediate setting for Maresca’s plan, with Manchester City beginning their league-phase campaign away from home.