Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola says his side cannot rely too much on striker Erling Haaland as they prepare to start their Champions League campaign against Sevilla (Match betting – Sevilla 9/1, Draw 9/2, Man City 1/3).
City signed Haaland from Borussia Dortmund as they try and win their first Champions League title, and he has already hit the ground running in the Premier League.
He has scored ten goals in just six matches, including two hat-tricks to help City move towards the top of the standings.
Haaland has netted 23 goals in 19 Champions League appearances, but Guardiola says if City relies on the Norwegian ace too much, they will be found wanting in Europe again this season.
He told reporters: “All the players that came in this season, they try to make us better; otherwise, (signing them) would make no sense.
“If that is going to help us win the titles, I don’t know, but if we rely all on Erling’s shoulders, we are not going to win the Champions League.
“We have to do well to help him, to create more chances, and then he scores goals. Hopefully, he can do it.”
Haaland is expected to start Tuesday’s contest, but John Stones and Kyle Walker have not travelled due to minor injuries.
Sevilla’s Jesus Corona will watch on from the stands due to a fibula fracture, while Adnan Januzaj and Karim Rekik have been recalled after recent fitness woes.
Celtic are also in action on Tuesday as they host reigning champions Real Madrid at Celtic Park (Match betting – Celtic 4/1, Draw 16/5, Real Madrid 7/10).
Hoops manager Ange Postecoglou has confirmed that Kyogo Furuhashi is available to face the Spanish giants after an injury scare during Saturday’s 4-0 success over Rangers, but Carl Starfelt will miss the Group F meeting.
Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti will fancy his side’s chances of victory, but he will be unable to select Jesus Vallejo and Alvaro Odriozola.
At 17:45, Chelsea will tackle Dinamo Zagreb in Group E, in a game in which Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang may start (Match betting – Zagreb 13/2, Draw 18/5, Chelsea 9/20).
The former Barcelona star and fellow summer arrival Denis Zakaria have travelled to Croatia, but Thiago Silva has stayed behind as the club tries to manage the 37-year-old’s workload.
Ante Cacic has no new injury worries ahead of kick-off, and Chelsea will need to be wary of Mislav Orsic (9/2 – to score anytime), who has eight goals already this season.
