Following Manchester City’s 1-0 victory over Brentford, Pep Guardiola has provided an update on the status of Kevin De Bruyne’s injury concern.
The unexpected sight of the £400,000-a-week player on the bench prior to the match raised eyebrows, particularly in a crucial fixture for City’s Premier League title aspirations.
Despite the significance of the game, Guardiola opted not to start De Bruyne, raising speculation about his fitness.
Erling Haaland’s decisive goal in the 71st minute further highlighted the absence of De Bruyne, with Jeremy Doku getting the nod instead.
Guardiola addressed De Bruyne’s absence after the match, citing hamstring strains as the reason for his exclusion. He emphasized a cautious approach, prioritizing De Bruyne’s well-being after his extended absence from the pitch.
The potential risk associated with De Bruyne’s injury underscores his importance to Guardiola’s plans, especially with challenging fixtures against rivals like Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal, and Aston Villa looming in March.
De Bruyne’s absence could significantly impact City’s prospects in both the Premier League and Champions League, underscoring his indispensable role within the team.
As Manchester City looks ahead, the hope remains for De Bruyne’s swift return to full fitness, as any prolonged absence would undoubtedly be deeply felt by the team and its supporters.
