Jamie Carragher is suggesting that Haaland’s absence might have more to do with the return of Real Madrid’s Antonio Rüdiger than an actual injury. Carragher’s comments imply that Haaland may have been reluctant to face Rüdiger, who’s known for his tough and physical defending style. While the official reason was Haaland’s knee injury, Carragher is raising the possibility that the striker may have been more strategic in avoiding a clash with Rüdiger, who would have been a formidable opponent.
Carragher’s mention of “Rüdiger-itis” humorously implies that Haaland’s decision to not play could be linked to his potential difficulty against Rüdiger, rather than a physical injury. This kind of speculation often happens when key players are absent in big matches like this.
It’s a pretty interesting take, but we’ll have to wait for more details or Haaland’s own perspective on the situation. What do you think—could it have been a tactical decision rather than just an injury?
