The striker's absence snuffed out City's hopes in Madrid before a ball had been kicked — and that's a bad sign

Erling Haaland missed Manchester City’s 3-1 defeat at Real Madrid on Wednesday, as Pep Guardiola’s side missed their star striker badly. Haaland, 24, suffered a knee injury towards the end of City’s 4-0 win against Newcastle last weekend.

Erling Haaland was an unused substitute as Man City exited the Champions League on Wednesday night in Madrid; the striker suffered a right knee injury late in Citys impressive 4-0 win over Newcastle last weekend;