CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
Will Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne return from injury for the Champions League semi-final against Real Madrid?
Belgian playmaker De Bruyne has missed the last two City games because of “niggles” but is closing in on his return.
Manchester City playmaker Kevin De Bruyne has taken a big step towards proving his fitness for the first leg of the Champions League semi-final against Real Madrid at Estadio Santiago Bernabéu next Tuesday. The Belgian star has stepped up his recovery from injury and is now more than likely to be involved against Carlo Ancelotti’s side next week, according to British newspaper The Times.
De Bruyne’s surprise absence despite “niggles”
De Bruyne has missed City’s victories over Fulham and West Ham after being forced off towards the end of his team’s crucial 4-1 Premier League win over Arsenal at the Etihad on 26 April. After the match, Sky Blues boss Pep Guardiola confirmed that he had “some niggles in his legs”.
The former Chelsea man’s absence against the Cottagers still came as something of a surprise but he has now resumed full training with the rest of the squad, which suggests that is a very good chance he will take up his usual spot in the starting line-up in Madrid. Just to be sure, Guardiola is considering leaving De Bruyne out of Saturday’s clash against Leeds United as a precaution, although no final decision has as yet been made.
De Bruyne-Haaland link-up key for City
The 31-year-old has been a key man for City ever since joining the club in 2015. This season, he has scored nine times in all competition, including twice in that potential Premier League title decider against the Gunners, and made a whopping 27 assists. Record-breaking striker Erling Haaland has often been the beneficiary and is looks as if the pair will be able to link up together once again against Real Madrid.