Erling Haaland and Kevin De Bruyne shouldn’t start the FA Cup semi-final after asking to come off against Real Madrid.
That’s the view of talkSPORT host and Aston Villa legend Gabby Agbonlahor, who was left stunned by the Manchester City duo’s request.
The reigning Champions League champions lost their chance to retain their title and win the double treble, crashing out to Los Blancos 4-3 on penalties after the game finished 4-4 on aggregate.
But it wasn’t City’s performance that was on Agbonlahor’s mind.
Speaking about the game on talkSPORT Breakfast the following morning, Agbonlahor said: “Last night would’ve took so much out of them City players. They looked shattered.
“I mean we’re going to talk about it, Pep Guardiola came out after the game and said Haaland and De Bruyne asked to be taken off.”
Alan Brazil interjected and said: “I’m astonished by that.”
Agbonlahor continued: “They asked to be taken off. From fatigue. I think [it was] from niggles or fatigue maybe, but I don’t want to see them on Saturday then in the FA Cup.
“You’re asking to be taken off in the biggest game of the season when your team needs you. Especially Haaland, who for me was poor.
“And Kevin De Bruyne, 111 minutes, surely you just see it through? You’re one of the better penalty takers.”
Haaland was replaced by Julian Alvarez on 90 minutes, with De Bruyne then making way for Mateo Kovacic in extra time.
Unfortunately for City, it was Kovacic and Bernardo Silva that went on to miss their penalties in the shootout, leading Guardiola’s side to be knocked out of the competition.
“They asked me to go out,” Guardiola said about the decision to take the duo off after the game. “They could not continue.”
The pair will be key in Man City’s Premier League title run-in, and with games coming thick and fast, both players’ fitness will be vital in the business end of the campaign.
For now, Man City will prepare to face Chelsea in the FA Cup semis this Saturday, as they look to seal one of their two chances left to win silverware this season.