“Heavy blow” for Man City
Kevin De Bruyne is injured for several months
08/15/2023 5:41 p.m
Bitter news for Manchester City, it’s the thigh again: The Champions League winner has to do without assist king Kevin De Bruyne for a long time. Coach Pep Guardiola reports that his superstar has suffered “a serious injury” and speaks of a “big loss”.
Champions League winners Manchester City have been without star player Kevin De Bruyne longer than feared because of another thigh injury. Instead of a few weeks, the 32-year-old Belgian will be missing “a few months”, said team manager Pep Guardiola in Athens one day before the European Supercup final on Wednesday (9 p.m.) against FC Sevilla. His playmaker has “a serious injury” and the decision on whether an operation is necessary is still pending. This should fall in the “next few days”.
In the 3-0 (2-0) win at promoted FC Burnley at the start of the Premier League season on Friday, De Bruyne had to leave the field in the middle of the first half (23rd). “In the same place and in the same position as in the Champions League and he will be out for a while,” Guardiola said afterwards. It was intended that he would play 45 minutes, Guardiola said after the renewed injury. “Maybe it was a mistake,” admitted the Spaniard.
Guardiola: “A heavy blow”
Guardiola was dejected. “First of all, Kevin’s injury is a huge blow and a big loss for us,” he said. Losing De Bruyne with his “special qualities” for a long period of time is difficult. But the manager stressed that the team must “look ahead” and rely on the options available in his absence. Phil Foden is seen as the first alternative to replace the Belgian.
At the final in the premier class, the injury-prone top preparer had to be substituted against Inter Milan two months ago because of a torn thigh muscle. “He has to clear his head and relax,” Guardiola advised his exceptional talent, after all, De Bruyne has come back from this situation several times.