Pre-match fears in the Bernabeu were realised as no Erling Haaland meant no party for Manchester City.. Haaland reported unfit for the must-win meeting with Real Madrid and is therefore a doubt to face Liverpool on Sunday. But without their 27-goal striker, City looked toothless and completely absent of ideas in attack. As soon as they got the ball into the Madrid half, it came straight back.. Liverpool will be just as relentless in keeping the pressure on City and taking advantage of their low confidence and injury issues.. If Haaland is fit enough, City will be closer to their usual style and system. If he isn’t, City will presumably go with Omar Marmoush again.. Marmoush scored his 21st, 22nd and 23rd goals of the season in his last Premier League outing against Newcastle so should be full of confidence. But his Bernabeu experience was less positive, albeit with plenty of industry – just limited output.. But when Madrid had the game won and showed a little mercy to City, it allowed the Blues to chase a consolation goal. Marmoush kept going and sent the free-kick that hit the bar late on for Nico Gonzalez to convert.. There were moments where Marmoush tried to carry City forward but was crowded out, and his running to the end at least closed the aggregate scoreline.. If he can repeat that running into the channels, and crucially City support him with midfielders pushing up, there is a blueprint to making the attack more effective against Liverpool. Or Marmoush could even reprise his wide role from Newcastle in order to replicate that successful approach while asking someone like Phil Foden to push into a false nine role that has been successful vs Liverpool in the past.. Article continues below. Neither option is as good as having Haaland leading the line. However a half-fit Haaland against Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate feels like a battle weighted towards the visitors.. So Marmoush will need to play more like he did against Newcastle than Madrid, and get support from the runners. And maybe use his set piece threat to take advantage of any chance City do get.
