Manchester City’s midfield maestro, Kevin De Bruyne, finds himself once again sidelined, this time due to a groin strain, forcing him to miss crucial upcoming fixtures for both club and country.
The 32-year-old playmaker, who has been instrumental in Manchester City’s recent successes, has been ruled out of contention for Belgium’s friendlies against the Republic of Ireland and England later this month.
Additionally, De Bruyne will miss City’s FA Cup quarter-final clash against Newcastle United on Saturday, dealing a blow to the Sky Blues’ hopes of silverware.
De Bruyne’s absence from the pitch comes on the heels of his substitution in the 69th minute during City’s hard-fought 1-1 draw against Liverpool in the Premier League this past Sunday.
Manager Domenico Tedesco revealed that De Bruyne has been grappling with the groin injury for several matches now, prompting a decision to prioritize his recovery and avoid exacerbating the issue.
“We can’t take a risk now, and certainly not with Kevin,” stated Tedesco. “It is better to give him time to recover well at City and then have him ready for the European Championship.”
The decision to omit De Bruyne from the Belgium squad underscores the cautious approach adopted by both club and national team management.
With crucial fixtures looming on the horizon, including a showdown against Premier League leaders Arsenal on March 31st, City cannot afford to gamble with the fitness of one of their key players.
De Bruyne’s injury history adds another layer of concern. Having missed the first five months of the season due to a hamstring injury, his latest setback raises questions about potential connections between the two ailments.
Tedesco admitted uncertainty regarding the relationship between De Bruyne’s current groin strain and his previous hamstring injury, emphasizing the need to prioritize the player’s well-being.
“I don’t know if there is a connection to his hamstring injury,” Tedesco remarked. “Yesterday, I spoke to the doctor and Kevin, and we decided the risk was too great. It is our responsibility to take into account the player but also the player’s club.”
The absence of De Bruyne poses a significant challenge for both Belgium and Manchester City. As Belgium prepares to face the Republic of Ireland and England, they will have to navigate these encounters without one of their most influential figures.
Meanwhile, Manchester City will be without their talisman as they seek to advance in the FA Cup and maintain their pursuit of the Premier League title.
For City fans and followers of Belgian football alike, the hope remains that De Bruyne’s absence will be brief, allowing him to return to action at full strength in the near future.
Until then, both club and country will have to adapt to life without their midfield maestro, hoping to weather the storm and emerge stronger on the other side.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members
