Pep Guardiola urges Manchester City squad to work together for a balanced performance

Redaction Willow Austin
Published on 2024-03-29 19:45:00

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is urging his squad to draw inspiration from Kevin De Bruyne’s impact in crucial matches.

The 32-year-old may make a comeback for Manchester City this weekend as they face Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday in a key Premier League clash. Currently, only one point separates the Gunners, Liverpool, and City.

De Bruyne was sidelined from international duty with Belgium due to a groin injury, forcing him to miss the FA Cup quarter-final match against Newcastle as well.

Earlier this month, De Bruyne was substituted during the 1-1 draw with Liverpool and has only started six matches for Manchester City this season due to a hamstring surgery. Since his return, he has been involved in six direct Premier League goals and aims to add more before the season ends.

Manchester City is facing a busy schedule with three Premier League matches, a UEFA Champions League quarter-final against Real Madrid, and an FA Cup semi-final versus Chelsea approaching.

De Bruyne has a strong track record against Arsenal, scoring eight goals in 19 appearances. He played a crucial role in City’s victories over the Gunners last season.

Guardiola has emphasized the importance of De Bruyne’s performances and praised the midfielder ahead of the upcoming match.

“We won’t rely solely on Kevin (De Bruyne); we need a collective effort from everyone. He’s been consistent for years, which is crucial. In big games, we require key players, but every team member must contribute for a balanced performance.

“He’s a vital player. Despite facing injuries this season, he has trained well, and we’ll assess his fitness in the coming days.”

De Bruyne is among the four players likely to start on Sunday despite injury concerns, having participated in training sessions with both the Manchester City first-team and the Elite Development Squad leading up to the match.