Maresca eyes rest for busy dad Haaland as Manchester City prepare for Porto
Quick summary
Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca is weighing whether to rest Erling Haaland for the Champions League match against Porto, with the striker's recent fatherhood and a congested schedule factored into the decision.
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Attributed to original sourceNorwegian forward has played every minute of season
Parenting duties have changed player’s ‘priorities’
Enzo Maresca believes Erling Haaland has become “complete” as his priorities have changed after the birth of the Manchester City No 9’s son two years ago.
Haaland has again started the campaign in prolific form, scoring three goals in City’s opening three Premier League victories. In three of the 26-year-old’s four previous seasons at City he has won the Premier League golden boot. Maresca pointed to how the birth of his son in 2024 changed the Norwegian’s motivation.
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What happened
Enzo Maresca has hinted he could give Erling Haaland a breather ahead of Manchester City's Champions League tie against Porto. The Norwegian forward, who recently became a father, has been a fixture in City's starting XI, but a packed early-season calendar and considerations around rest and recovery have prompted Maresca to consider rotation in attack. How City line up without their talisman — or whether Haaland starts — will be a key subplot of the European fixture.