Pep Guardiola has admitted that his decision to leave Kevin De Bruyne on the bench throughout Manchester City’s 3-1 defeat at Real Madrid on Wednesday night was not a consequence of an injury.
De Bruyne was an unused sub at the Bernabeu, where a Kylian Mbappe hat-trick fired Madrid to a 6-3 victory on aggregate and dumped City out of the Champions League.
The Belgian midfielder had played 84 minutes in the first leg but Guardiola felt he had better options for the return match.
Explaining why De Bruyne did not feature on Wednesday, the City boss said: ‘Decisions. My decision.
‘Yeah, of course [he can still play in big games], he played against Madrid at home, of course he can play…’
Guardiola added: ‘The relationship with Kevin De Bruyne is exceptional. I can’t be thankful enough for what he’s done for me, the team, everyone. It’s just a decision.
Pep Guardiola (left) pictured with Kevin De Bruyne during Man City’s loss to PSG last month
De Bruyne was an unused sub on Wednesday night when City lost 3-1 away at Real Madrid
The Belgian has made 408 appearances for City and won 16 trophies with them since 2015
‘Normally I don’t speak with players, not just Kevin, on why they don’t play. They don’t ask me why when I decide to let them play from the beginning or during.
‘It’s just a decision from what I’ve seen, for many reasons, a few. Never ever is it personal, never ever I’m upset.
‘Also Jeremy [Doku] didn’t play and his last game was in Ipswich, [when he] played unbelievable, and after that was injured.
/origin-imgresizer.eurosport.com/2024/04/06/3944105-80095808-2560-1440.jpg)
‘But maybe for the demands, the way we now need to play because of the absences or strengths that we have and physicality and many things, we need a game of more control and not up and down.
‘Don’t tell me why. It’s not personal, I decide the decisions, that’s all, no more than that…’
Guardiola’s comments on De Bruyne would appear to add weight to fears that he will leave the club at the end of the season.
De Bruyne’s current contract is due to expire in June.
He has made 408 first-team appearances for City to date, scoring 105 goals and providing 173 assists.
De Bruyne has won 16 team trophies with City, including the Premier League on six occasions.