Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola claims relationship with Kevin De Bruyne 'fine' after substitution row
/dnl.eurosport.com/sd/img/placeholder/eurosport_logo_1x1.png){kind=logo}
Updated 11/03/2024 at 08:53 GMT
Kevin De Bruyne has been in excellent form since his return from injury but he cut a frustrated figure on Sunday afternoon at Anfield when he was replaced by Mateo Kovacic midway through the second half of Manchester City's 1-1 draw with Liverpool. Speaking after the match, Pep Guardiola invited De Bruyne to prove him wrong in the next match, and insisted the pair's relationship was "fine".
Pep Guardiola and Kevin De Bruyne
Image credit: Getty Images
Pep Guardiola said his relationship with Kevin De Bruyne is “fine” despite the Belgian's unhappiness at being substituted against Liverpool on Sunday.
De Bruyne was on hand to provide yet another assist for his Manchester City team when he found John Stones with a corner in the first half.
But the midfielder was then withdrawn with a little more than 20 minutes remaining to be played, as Mateo Kovacic replaced him.
De Bruyne was visibly upset with the decision, and Guardiola was seen discussing things with the 32-year-old in the dugout.
The match would end 1-1, leaving Arsenal top of the table ahead of Liverpool on goal difference, with City a point behind in third.
Speaking to Sky Sports after the game, Guardiola did not seem overly concerned when asked to discuss De Bruyne’s reaction.
“That’s good. That’s good,” he said.
“He will have a chance the next game to prove how wrong I was, so next time he’ll have it. It’s fine.
“We needed a player that had the ball and [would] keep it. It’s not about pressing, it’s not about this play and that’s why Mateo is really good with that and [Bernardo Silva] and pull Phil [Foden] into a central position.
“In some positions, he can keep the ball and make an extra pass, arrive into the box.
“Phil arrived two or three times at the post and in the final third, because I know in central positions Phil is extraordinary.”
He continued: “It’s not a problem. It’s fine. We’re fine.”
Guardiola defended his side’s failure to take three points at Anfield as the title race heats up.
He explained: “I know how difficult it is at Anfield, but the Etihad is difficult too. Liverpool never won there.
“People talk about here, we won here. And never in eight years did they win there.
“So that’s why we prove both sides how difficult it is, both incredible competitors.
“We would have preferred to win, but I know – they prove it over many, many years – the quality they have with the transition, the offensive, the pace and everything.”
- - -
TNT Sports presents the premium live sports rights previously carried by BT Sport including the Premier League, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Conference League, Gallagher Premiership Rugby, Investec Champions Cup, EPCR Challenge Cup, MotoGP, Cricket, UFC, Boxing and WWE. The streaming home for TNT Sports in the UK is discovery+, where fans can enjoy a subscription that includes TNT Sports, Eurosport and entertainment in one destination.
Scan me
Related Topics
Share this article