The Shocking Reason Erling Haaland Will Sit Out Manchester City’s Crucial Champions League Clash Against Bayer Leverkusen Revealed!

Manchester City is gearing up for a crucial clash in their 2025–26 UEFA Champions League group stage, welcoming Bayer Leverkusen to the Etihad with hopes of climbing the table and securing a spot in the knockout rounds. Yet, in a surprising twist that’s bound to ruffle some feathers, Erling Haaland won’t be leading the charge from kickoff. Pep Guardiola, ever the master of squad management, is strategically resting several of his standout stars following a grueling FIFA break, benching not only Haaland but also key figures like Gianluigi Donnarumma, Phil Foden, and Bernardo Silva. It’s a bold move that speaks volumes about Guardiola’s long game, and I’m curious—how will this gamble play out as City pushes toward the Round of 16? LEARN MORE .

Manchester City are playing an important match in the league phase of the 2025–26 UEFA Champions League. They host Bayer Leverkusen looking for a win that would improve their position in the standings as they chase qualification for the round of 16. Despite the significance of the matchup, Erling Haaland is not in the starting XI.

Head coach Pep Guardiola decided to rest several key players for this European fixture, considering the heavy workload some stars have carried since last week’s FIFA break. For that reason, Haaland is on the bench alongside other important players such as Gianluigi Donnarumma, Phil Foden, and Bernardo Silva.

* Developing story