Man City faces Haaland challenge ahead of Champions League title defense

Manchester City is considered a strong contender for the Champions League title this season, especially if Erling Haaland remains fit. Owen Hargreaves, a former City midfielder and current pundit, expressed confidence in the team's capabilities, highlighting their recent success in the competition. He noted that while winning back-to-back titles is challenging, City possesses the talent and coaching to achieve this goal under Pep Guardiola's leadership. Hargreaves pointed out the importance of Haaland's fitness, especially after the departure of Julian Alvarez to Atletico Madrid. He emphasized that without Haaland, City might struggle to replicate their previous success, although they have shown resilience in the past, even reaching the final without a traditional striker. The presence of key players like Ilkay Gundogan, Kevin De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva, and Phil Foden adds depth to the squad, making them formidable contenders. The pundit also acknowledged the increasing demands on top players due to a packed schedule, which includes summer competitions. Despite these challenges, he believes that the players' competitive spirit will drive them to pursue both the Premier League and Champions League titles this season. Additionally, Hargreaves praised new signing Savinho, who has made a strong impression following his successful stint in La Liga. He described Savinho as a technically gifted player capable of making a significant impact, likening his style to that of Riyad Mahrez. With such talent in the squad, City aims to continue their pursuit of glory in Europe.