Bodo/Glimt coach says he hopes Haaland is exhausted before crucial Champions League clash

Erling Braut Haaland in action against Manchester United
Erling Braut Haaland in action against Manchester United Mark Cosgrove / Zuma Press / Profimedia

Bodo/Glimt coach Kjetil Knutsen says he hopes that Manchester City's Norwegian international striker, Erling Braut Haaland, will struggle to find his usual form at the Aspmyra Stadium.

According to Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola, Erling Braut Haaland is worn out ahead of Tuesday's Champions League match at Aspmyra stadium in Bodo.

Haaland is set to lead the attack again as he returns to his homeland, with Guardiola more likely to rest his star striker against Wolves or Galatasaray over the next week when Omar Marmoush could be asked to deputise.

After the victory against Newcastle in the League Cup on 13 January, Guardiola said that Haaland needed rest.

Asked if Marmoush will be in the squad for Norway, Guardiola said: "No, I don't think so. I don't know when Omar comes and Erling is going to play. We need Erling, and we need all of them.

"Erling is so important for us. We are lucky to have Erling for what he has done.

"We'll see what happens next game. We have to travel to Norway and go in there and see how they recover. Not just physically. I can smell how they feel."

But City are struggling with injuries, and Haaland has had to play even though he is not at his best, as reflected by only one goal in the last seven games.

Erling Braut Haaland - Statistics
Erling Braut Haaland - StatisticsFlashare

Bodo/Glimt defender Odin Bjortuft still does not believe that it will be easy to stop the almost two-meter-tall striker on the artificial turf at Aspmyra.

"I don't think he looks exhausted", said Bjortuft during Monday's press conference. He believes that Haaland is still one of the world's best strikers and that he will be a tall order to stop on Tuesday night.

"That challenge will be incredibly cool. Meeting the world's best footballers is the best learning experience you get. Even though he has struggled to score a little bit lately, we all know how good he is."

Bod/Glimt coach Kjetil Knutsen says it is completely normal for Haaland to feel the strain of the match.

"He is a human being, too. We have felt the same. Manchester City have had an extreme match program for a long time. They have made a choice to reduce the size of the squad. When they get a few injuries, you feel the strain."

"It is completely normal. We are not preparing for a tired Erling Braut Haaland, but we hope that he is a little tired."

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