De Bruyne: "There have never been issues between me and Pep"

Kevin De Bruyne returned to the starting lineup as City ended their 7-match winless run and beat Nottingham Forest 3-0 at the Etihad. The midfielder suffered an injury in the Champions League game against Inter in September but had been making cameos off the bench for a month before Pep Guardiola decided to include him in his starting XI on Wednesday night.

But the Man City captain played a starring role on his return from kick-off. scoring and providing an assist to help his side move back into the top four and within nine points of league-leaders Liverpool. De Bruyne's delayed comeback into the first eleven raised questions as to whether there were issues between the player and his head coach, but the 33-year-old came forward to the microphones of  'BBC Sport' to deny such rumours and reveal that a sports hernia is the reason why he had been sidelined.

"It's been an uncomfortable injury, a mystery and a puzzle. I'm getting better slowly. I was able to play a big amount of minutes and not feel bad," the Belgium international said post-match. "It's a relief. Most of us had careers before City so I've played against relegation. It can be way worse. It's been a tough time. We've not been at the level. We've had injuries etc. Today is hopefully a first step to improve. It's good to change the momentum. In some games we lost there were periods we weren't playing bad".

"I know a lot has been said. There have never been issues between me and Pep. He knows I've been struggling [with a sports hernia]. It's painful and uncomfortable- I want to be back on the pitch. I felt good at the start of the season. I'm working hard to get back with my body. Maybe it's going to be an up-and-down moment from now. Hopefully, I can get back to my body with not much pain and then I'll be fine."

City boss Guardiola, who also shot down suggestions of a rift with De Bruyne on the eve of the game, offered his verdict on De Bruyne’s positive return. "I am so happy he is back," said Guardiola. "He played 75 fantastic minutes. He deserves the best because he's a lovely guy and has been massively important for so many years since he arrived."

 

December 5, 2024