Erling Haaland Reveals ‘Disappointment’ Over Mbappe Absence After Man City’s Hard-Fought Win at Bernabeu

Erling Haaland is not the type of player who shies away from a big stage. He lives for it. But even on a night where Manchester City fought their way to a hard-earned 2-1 victory over Real Madrid at the Bernabeu, the Norwegian striker admitted one thing left him disappointed — the absence of Kylian Mbappe.

City’s win came through Haaland’s calm penalty shortly before half-time, giving the Premier League champions a lead they protected with discipline and resilience. Yet for many fans, the real headline was not the scoreline, but the fact that the world was denied the long-awaited Haaland vs Mbappe showdown.

The two global stars were expected to light up Madrid. Instead, only one appeared on the pitch.

Haaland Expected Mbappe to Play — and Admits His Disappointment

Mbappe, who has been struggling with a broken finger and a muscle problem, was named on the bench by Xabi Alonso and did not play a single minute. It was a major blow for neutrals and a surprise even to the Manchester City dressing room.

Speaking to TNT Sports after the game, Haaland made it clear he was looking forward to facing the Real Madrid forward.

“We know about their injuries, we have some too but they have many,” he said.

“You don’t want anyone to be injured but we expected him to play. I expected to come up against Kylian today.”

Haaland’s expression of disappointment felt genuine, not a dig. It was the kind of frustration that comes from a top player wanting to test himself against another elite rival.

“For a player like that to be out… you’re not happy because you want to play the best,” he added. “But it gives you a bit of a psychological boost.”

The comment was honest — and revealing. Even at the highest level, top players feel a shift in confidence when a major opponent is missing.

A Battle of Bodies in Mbappe’s Absence

But Mbappe’s absence didn’t mean Haaland had it easy. Far from it. From the opening whistle, Real Madrid’s defenders tried to unsettle him physically.

“After one minute Asencio was trying to push me and beef with me which I like personally — I don’t mind it,” Haaland said.

The Norwegian even brought up Antonio Rüdiger, a defender he has clashed with many times. Their duels have become a Champions League subplot of their own.

“With Antonio Rudiger as well we have had some great battles,” he said. “But today he wanted it too much and we got the penalty.”

That penalty — coolly placed by Haaland — proved decisive.

City’s Focus Turns to the Premier League

With the win secured, Haaland was asked whether the result might give Manchester City momentum in the Premier League title race. Arsenal remain ahead, and the calendar is becoming crowded for the champions.

But Haaland refused to take the bait.

“I don’t like to speak too much on this because we should focus on ourselves,” he responded.

“City have been so good at that for 10 years, don’t think about others and focus on ourselves.”

His message was clear: City’s dominance comes from concentration and consistency, not from chasing narratives.

“Now we need to focus on Sunday — who is it? Palace on Sunday,” he said. “Games are coming fast.”

The fixture list has indeed been relentless. City remain in the Champions League, the Premier League title race, and domestic cup competition. Haaland knows the demands.

“Look at the schedule, it’s incredible,” he said. “It’s about staying fit and taking it game by game.”

A Rivalry the World Still Wants to See

While the match delivered drama, tension, and elite football, the missing Haaland vs Mbappe duel lingered as an unspoken disappointment. Both players are the faces of a new generation — goal machines with global reach and enormous expectations.

But at the Bernabeu, only Haaland played. And only City celebrated.

In another world, Mbappe might have changed the story. In this one, Haaland walked off victorious but with a clear sense that something was missing.

The world will have to wait for the next chapter