The Manchester City midfielder came on as a substitute in the Premier League win over Watford at the weekend after recovering from COVID-19.
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Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has said that midfielder Kevin de Bruyne will start against RB Leipzig in the Champions League fixture on Wednesday. The 30-year-old came on as a substitute in City’s Premier League win over Watford on Saturday after recovering from Corona virus. The Belgium international last started for his club in the derby win over Manchester United on November 6 before being tested positive for COVID-19. Meanwhile it hasn’t been a great season for De Bruyne as he has failed to register even a single Premier League assist this season
Guardiola, speaking ahead of his side’s trip to Leipzig, defended the midfielder’s form, however.
“Kevin was growing in his physical condition and then he had the setback,” Guardiola said. “People who have suffered coronavirus, after they feel empty. Step by step he will play the minutes. Tomorrow he will start.
“Kevin played the season from the beginning. He arrived from Euros and last season, not in good condition and then had coronavirus.
“We’ve got him back, fighting for a position like everyone. He doesn’t have to show me anything, just to show he’s back and himself. Do what he can do for the last five years. He’s so necessary for the team. Bernardo and Gundogan know it, you have to be good for 90 minutes.”
City defeated Paris Saint-Germain in their last Champions League match to seal top spot in Group A and ensure qualification to the knockout stage regardless of what happens at Red Bull Arena where the match will be played behind closed doors because of stricter COVID-19 restrictions.
Therefore, Guardiola has admitted that he may be tempted to play some youngsters and insisted that the talented players at his disposal are in the right place to develop themselves rather than seeking a loan move elsewhere.
“We have an incredible academy,” Guardiola said. “The first team is important. For them (young players) it’s an incredible experience in Europe, to see how opponents behave. Maybe tomorrow some can play minutes. We have five substitutions and maybe we can use them.
“They are 18, 19. You have everything ahead of you. The potential they have, they are fantastic young players. They need to settle perfectly how we behave. The potential is there.
“They’ll stay here. We don’t have loans and we need them. We try to let them improve in the way we believe. They are training with the first team, the competition is so high, the quality the rhythm. That’s why it’s good to stay with us.”
City are in stupendous form, having won the last seven games in all competitions, despite very little riding on the encounter in Germany, Guardiola would be hoping to keep up the winning momentum.
“Of course, all the guys who play tomorrow want to win. We have respect for the competition,” he said. “Every game is a good opportunity to improve and there are many things we can do better. The players will know it.”
