Pep Guardiola reveals why he banned Erling Haaland for a crucial clash of Real Madrid, while his team struggles to stay in the Champions League

Erling Haaland has been released to the Manchester City shock with Real Madrid on Wednesday night.

The Pep Guardiola team travels to Bernabéu 3-2 in the aggregate after an impressive final to the draw of the draw in the playoffs of the Champions League last week.

The Norwegian striker scored both goals for City in that game, however, Guardiola has chosen to leave Haaland in the bank for the return section.

Haaland was a question for the section back in Madrid after being withdrawn in demolition 4-0 of the city about Newcastle on Saturday due to a knee injury.

Speaking in Haaland's condition, Guardiola said: 'Not close enough. Trained a little yesterday, but he spoke this morning and said he doesn't feel good, so we chose another. '

The decision is produced only a few days after Omar Marmous, who was selected before Haaland for the Madrid clash, scored a Hat -Ruck in his victory over Newcastle.

Erling Haaland has been appointed at the Bank for Man City's clash with Real Madrid

There were doubts about whether the Norwegian would travel after suffering a blow last week.

However, at the beginning of the week, Guardiola relieved concerns about the condition of the Norwegian, revealing that he will be in the Bernabéu with Jack Grealish, who was also a question of playing.

'Yes, they traveled. We will see tomorrow, but it is good news that they are here obviously, 'said Guardiola.

'Jack was able to play a really good game in him (in Leyton Orient), but after he does not have the consistency to play three games per week, he could not do it. With luck, he is now capable of the season, you can get it. '

City faces the possibility of leaving before the last 16 for the first time since 2012-2013, when they were knocked out in the group stage.

Guardiola had admitted that the possibilities of qualification of his team are thin, but has urged his game without fear of Bernabéu.

'You have to make an almost perfect game, obviously. The result is not the perfect situation. We have to attack and score goals, this is the idea. We will have to play an almost perfect game to spend.

Haaland was forced in Man City's 4-0 victory

'It is the same to go to Arsenal or Liverpool at this time or Barcelona, ​​the great teams described for the first eight, it is quite similar.

'It will be difficult to disappear. Especially after the result we take in the first game. (We must) play with courage. Be yourself.

'I learned that when I was a young player when we didn't get results. Play with incredible courage and play to win the game, otherwise, you can always lose but you must be yourself.

'When we did well here it is because we played to win the game. We have no alternative due to the result in the first leg.