Pep Guardiola confirms Kevin De Bruyne injury update for Real Madrid tie

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has confirmed Kevin De Bruyne is facing a crucial fitness battle ahead of their clash with Real Madrid.

The Belgian international turned in a fantastic performance in City’s 5-1 Premier League win over Watford this weekend, with two key assists.

However, the midfielder found himself on the end of a string of bad tackles from the Hornets, and Guardiola opted to bring him off for the final 30 minutes at the Etihad Stadium.

De Bruyne’s premature exit triggered concerns over his fitness to face Los Blancos in their Champions League semi final first leg in midweek and Guardiola admitted he is balancing the situation.

“I have 14/15 players fit and in the last few games Kevin and Aymeric (Laporte) have played a lot of minutes”, the Catalan coach stated in his post match press conference.

“Kevin, it doesn’t look like it, but he’s playing with some disturbing niggles in his ankles, for the kicks he’s got in the last few games.

“At 4-1, I am thinking about that. It is not just Madrid, it’s Leeds as well. You have seen the schedule.

“That is why, in that moment, I am thinking the game is almost over and I rest the players who have played a lot of minutes.”

De Bruyne is expected to play through the pain against Real Madrid, but Guardiola faces a defensive headache, with Joao Cancelo suspended and Kyle Walker struggling with an ankle issue.

 

 

Tags Aymeric Laporte Joao Cancelo Kevin De Bruyne Kyle Walker Manchester City Pep Guardiola

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