'Could not continue' - Erling Haaland and Kevin De Bruyne fitness update amid Liverpool and Arsenal title race

Pep Guardiola admitted that Erling Haaland and Kevin De Bruyne ‘could not continue’ as Manchester City crashed out of the Champions League.

City’s hopes of retaining the European Cup - and winning a Treble for successive seasons - were ended by Real Madrid. After a 4-4 draw on aggregate, Los Blancos won on penalties at the Etihad Stadium.

Bernado Silva and Mateo Kovacic both missed out in the shootout. City could not turn to their talismanic pair Kevin De Bruyne - who had equalised for the home side on the night - and Erling Haaland to step up. De Bruyne came off in the 112th minute, with Haaland substituted before extra-time.

That is because Guardiola stated that the duo, along with Manuel Akanji, asked to be withdrawn. The City boss said: "Erling and Kevin asked me to go out. They could not continue, like Manu [Akanji]. They were playing amazing and I'm not a big fan of so many substitutions but Kevin, Erling and Manu asked me to go out because they could not continue."

City may now have to wait and see how De Bruyne and Haaland and if they miss any fixtures in the Premier League title race. As things stand, Guardiola’s troops sit two points above Liverpool and Arsenal in the table with six matches to play. But City will not want either of the pair to miss any of their remaining fixtures.

Arsenal also exited the Champions League after losing 3-2 on aggregate against Bayern Munich. The Gunners suffered a 1-0 defeat in the second leg at the Allianz Arena, with Joshua Kimmich bagging for Bayern to set up a semi-final against Real.