Erling Haaland is not in the starting lineup for Manchester City’s UEFA Champions League match against AEK Athens on October 3, 2026, surprising many fans after he scored twice in City's recent victory over Ipswich Town. His exclusion comes as the team looks to respond following a 4-2 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in their last Champions League match. Despite this setback, Manchester City remains unbeaten in the Premier League this season, winning all seven of their matches.
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The decision to bench Haaland stems from a physical issue he sustained during the Premier League match against Ipswich. Although he performed well, scoring twice, he was observed limping towards the end of the game after a challenge from Ipswich's Jack Clarke. City manager Enzo Maresca expressed cautious optimism about Haaland’s fitness before the match, stating that there was a possibility he could play, depending on his condition following a training session.
Ultimately, the team decided to refrain from risking their star striker in a demanding fixture schedule, particularly with an upcoming Premier League match against Aston Villa. In Haaland's absence, 17-year-old Floyd Samba will lead the attack for Manchester City, having impressed with two goals on his senior debut during a recent Carabao Cup match.
While Haaland is not starting, it remains unclear whether he might enter the match later, contingent on his fitness and Maresca’s assessment of his ability to play without further injury risk.