Frank Christian
Pep Guardiola expressed significant admiration for Kevin De Bruyne after Manchester City secured a much-needed 3-0 victory against Nottingham Forest in the Premier League.
This win came after a tough phase for Guardiola, marking his most challenging period as a manager, which included seven games without a victory—six of which were losses.
The game at the Etihad Stadium proved straightforward, with Bernardo Silva and De Bruyne netting goals in the first half, followed by a late addition from Jeremy Doku.
De Bruyne, who has faced injury issues since the beginning of the season, made his first league start since mid-September, successfully leading the team after managing his playing time at the age of 33.
After several limited appearances from the bench to regain fitness, he showcased his skills with an assist and a league goal, marking his return to form.
He has played a vital role in Guardiola’s successful tenure at Manchester City, and despite his contract nearing its end, the coach remains optimistic about De Bruyne’s influence on the team moving forward.
Kevin De Bruyne already has an assist eight minutes into his first start since September 14 pic.twitter.com/qjcYnWhuoU
— B/R Football (@brfootball) December 4, 2024
“He played exceptionally well, contributing defensively as well. I’m very pleased with him. His impact over the years has been remarkable,” Guardiola commented.
“When fit, he may not be able to compete every few days, but I hope he continues to assist us as he did after his move from Germany.”
Expectations are that Guardiola will carefully choose when to field De Bruyne, possibly resting him for the upcoming match against Crystal Palace to ensure he is prepared for the UEFA Champions League clash against Juventus on December 11.
