Pep Guardiola says he has finally dropped Erling Haaland against FC Copenhagen because he is tired, and not because of Manchester City's upcoming trip to face Liverpool in the Premier League.
Haaland has started every City game this season, scoring a remarkable 20 goals in 12 games, adding three assists to that tally. Guardiola has previously resisted dropping Haaland, even if he's publicly declared that that time will come and no player is above his rotation policy.
And it seems the Champions League trip to Copenhagen was the right time to rest Haaland, especially with the Premier League trip to Liverpool following on Sunday, with Guardiola explaining why he made a number of high-profile changes in Denmark.
ALSO READ: Man City vs FC Copenhagen LIVE goal and score updates
Speaking to BT Sport, Guardiola was asked if the Liverpool game had any bearing on his selection.
"Nothing. The guys who haven't played are tired," he said. "That's why we put fresh legs."
On Haaland specifically, Guardiola said: "I didn't speak with him. I don't give to my players the decisions we take, the reasons why. They wouldn't understand it, they want to play."
And Guardiola had a simple message to striker Julian Alvarez and any other incoming player who will want to take their chance.
"Be himself. No more than that," he said of Alvarez.
"He's an exceptional player. We trust and rely on him. We are so surprised how good the impact he had in the team, no problem.
"I know them, they don't have to impress me, they have to play, be who they are. Be themselves. Performance as best as possible. Finish the game and say I did everything. My opinion on them isn't going to change on the performance today. I know them."
READ NEXT:
