Bernardo backs Erling Haaland to rediscover best form

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The Football Faithful

·16 March 2026

Bernardo backs Erling Haaland to rediscover best form

Bernardo Silva has backed Erling Haaland to find his form at Manchester City but admits he ‘wouldn’t be shocked’ to see the forward left out against Real Madrid.

Haaland has endured a goal drought since the turn of the new year, with just four goals in his last 18 appearances across all competitions.

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The Norwegian’s decline has been a concern for the Citizens, and Haaland drew another blank in last week’s 3-0 defeat to Real Madrid.

City host Real Madrid in the second leg of their Champions League last-16 tie tomorrow, needing a huge performance to save their European season.

Asked about Haaland before the game, Bernardo told a pre-game press conference that he would always ‘prefer to have Erling’ in the side but will back the manager’s decision.

“We wouldn’t be shocked with anything, because it is not our job to judge the managers decision, he gets paid a lot of money to make those decisions,” the City captain said at a pre-game press conference.

“We have a big squad, anyone is ready to play. Erling is a massive player for us, very important player, and in the big games you need those players. But we have fantastic players everywhere.

“No one is irreplaceable. I would obviously prefer to have Erling because when you have Erling on the pitch you are scoring goals, and we need goals tomorrow.

“We’ve played without Erling when he was injured, we’ve dealt with those situations.

“The big players are there for the big moments.”

Read – Bernardo promises Man City will ‘fight’ to save Real Madrid tie

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