Imagine the Champions League final... and the opposing team's star player is suddenly benched. Gutted, right? That's precisely how Erling Haaland and Manchester City felt, even after snagging a crucial 2-1 victory against Real Madrid at the Bernabeu. They weren't exactly celebrating Kylian Mbappe's absence.
Haaland admitted that Mbappe's unexpected benching did give City a "psychological boost." But here's where it gets controversial... Haaland insisted they were genuinely disappointed not to face the French phenomenon. Yes, a boost is a boost, but would they have preferred the challenge?
Let's rewind: Heading into the clash, City's strategists, including Pep Guardiola, were laser-focused on containing Mbappe. The expectation was that the World Cup winner would be a constant threat. He had been carrying a minor injury, sure, but was still named in Xabi Alonso's squad for the match. The plot thickened when Mbappe remained firmly planted on the bench even as Real Madrid fell behind. Rodrygo's opener was nullified by goals from Nico O'Reilly and, crucially, a Haaland penalty.
Real Madrid's decision to keep Mbappe sidelined stemmed from a desire to avoid aggravating his knee injury. Alonso needs his star player fit and firing if they are to mount a serious challenge for the La Liga title this season. This decision, however, sparked debate: was it strategic caution, or an admission of tactical vulnerability?
Haaland, with an impressive 21 goals in as many appearances this season, made it clear that he wanted to test himself against the best. "We know about their injuries, we have a few as well... you don't want anyone to be injured, but we expected Mbappe to play," Haaland told TNT Sports. "I thought I was going to play against Kylian, so, of course, when a player like Kylian doesn't play, you're not happy because you want to play against the best, but it gives you a bit of a psychological boost."
And this is the part most people miss... Haaland's perspective highlights a crucial aspect of high-level competition: the desire to compete against the very best, even if it makes the path to victory harder. It speaks volumes about his mentality and the competitive spirit within the City squad.
Haaland didn't just talk the talk; he walked the walk, winning and converting the penalty that ultimately secured the victory. He described the physical battles he relished with Real Madrid's defenders. “[Raul] Asencio was starting to push me and try to beef with me a lot. It's something I like. And, of course, Rudiger as well, we've been having some great battles and today he wanted a bit too much, he pulled me. So, for me, a clear penalty.” He embraced the physicality, viewing it as part of the challenge.
City’s victory at the Bernabeu was a significant achievement, especially considering their previous record there. Prior to this match, they had only one win in seven visits – a 2-1 victory in February 2020. Remembering their 3-1 defeat at the same venue in February 2025, the team understood the magnitude of the task.
Guardiola's tactical preparation was evident, and Haaland emphasized the team's resilience in responding to Madrid's early goal. "It's difficult to come here and the game has loads of transitions. We could have had another goal. I was close on one in the second half, Jeremy [Doku] was close a few times but the game was a bit chaotic. We can't really control it, which is difficult and it's difficult to come here, so in the end, we're super happy." He also highlighted the importance of the win, especially after their loss against Leverkusen. "It could have looked completely different today if we didn't win because we lost against Leverkusen, so this win is really important. Now we've got two more games left so we need to finish strong now and hopefully we can be in the first eight because then we're through.”
With the Champions League group stage nearing its conclusion, City currently sit fourth and are aiming for a top-eight finish to progress. However, domestic duties now take precedence, including a Carabao Cup quarter-final against Brentford. They will not be back in European action until January 20.
So, here's the question: Do you believe Haaland's disappointment was genuine, or was it just a clever PR move? And more importantly, do you think Real Madrid made the right call benching Mbappe, or did they underestimate the psychological impact his presence could have had, even at less than 100%? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
