![]() “I guess when I shout back at him sometimes, he doesn’t mind. “With the years I’ve calmed down a little bit but sometimes he wants to get me angry. How we sometimes react in football – sometimes he says he wants to see me a little bit angry,” said De Bruyne. Guardiola, in his own savvy way, tries to stoke it occasionally. It’s been a long five or six months, but I’m just happy to be back, helping the team win games and be at my best.” The words suggest an assurance in his ability we see mirrored on the field, where De Bruyne’s is a calm arrogance that expects to shape most contests.ĭe Bruyne was angry as a youth player at Gent and his fiery side remains. ![]() In his deadpan manner, De Bruyne hinted at why he is so strong: “I’m just trying to play good. With Lionel Messi now at Inter Miami, is there a finer footballer in Europe? Cases can be made for Mohamed Salah, Vinícius Jr, De Bruyne’s teammate Erling Haaland and a few others, yet the Belgian’s cocktail of playmaking, game mastery, poise and predatory goalscoring is a unique package. Just how special is an intriguing debate. “His contribution is always special, Kevin is special.” “He’s returned very fresh in his body but also in his mind,” he said. The Catalan can see, too, the silver lining of the enforced break. Guardiola is as partial to a drop of fine vino tinto as he is to De Bruyne’s talent. “He’s maybe a Brunello di Montalcino or Sassicaia.”īottles of either can cost four figures. “Kevin De Bruyne is getting better, like good wine,” the City manager. Guardiola has no penchant for throwing bouquets at his players but even he was outwardly delighted with De Bruyne’s display in Copenhagen. He has scored twice and assisted seven times this season. Voted player of the match at Parken, De Bruyne is only seven appearances into a comeback from the serious hamstring injury he suffered 23 minutes into the opening game of the season at Burnley. The headline contribution took him to 21 goal involvements in 22 Champions League knockout matches the underlying story was of De Bruyne shredding Copenhagen at will in an all-action display of perpetual motion.įrom a nominal midfield berth, the 32-year-old flitted into wide zones on both flanks, dropped off to prompt attacks, or surged forward, as when he beat Kamil Grabara from the right with a coolly stroked finish. So, too, Arsenal and Liverpool, who hope to prevent Pep Guardiola’s side collecting a record fourth consecutive Premier League crown.Įven by his rarefied standard, De Bruyne was in unstoppable form against the champions of Denmark.
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