Pep Guardiola offers update on Kevin De Bruyne after absence from Real Madrid defeat | OneFootball

Kevin De Bruyne remains capable of playing in big matches for Manchester City, Pep Guardiola has insisted despite the Belgian’s absence against Real Madrid this week.

The experienced Manchester City captain was once again part of the club’s matchday squad in the biggest of occasions this season, but amid doubts over whether this will be his final campaign for the side, he did not feature at the Santiago Bernabeu.

That decision came amid the club being in the knowledge that they required a win by two goals to send them into the last-16 of Europe’s premier club competition, trailing by a 3-2 scoreline at the game’s commencement.

Ultimately, the selected side by Pep Guardiola fell flat in a 3-1 defeat to the Spanish giants, leaving them exiting the competition before the last-16 stage for the first time since Roberto Mancini’s side in the 2012/13 campaign.

And that eventuality raised doubts over the Catalan’s team selection, particularly the decision to not only exclude Kevin De Bruyne from his starting line-up, but also not turn towards his captain from the bench at any point in the match.

Speaking during his pre-match press conference ahead of Manchester City’s meeting with Liverpool on Sunday afternoon, Pep Guardiola was quizzed on the reasoning behind De Bruyne’s lack of involvement against Real Madrid, and whether injury played a part.

“Decisions. My decision,” Guardiola clarified. “Yeah, of course (he can still play in big games), he played against Madrid at home, of course he can play.”

Offering further insight into the matter, Pep Guardiola said, “The relationship with Kevin is exceptional. I can’t be thankful enough for what he’s done for me, the team, everyone. It’s just a decision. Normally I don’t speak with players, not just Kevin, on why they don’t play.

“They don’t ask me why when I decide to let them play from the beginning or during. It’s just a decision from what I’ve seen, for many reasons, a few. Never ever is it personal, never ever I’m upset.

“Also Jeremy (Doku) didn’t play and his last game was in Ipswich, played unbelievable, and after was injured.”

The Manchester City manager rounded off the subject by speaking on how De Bruyne’s lack of involvement was largely due to a change in playing style and desired approach to maches.

“Maybe for the demands, the way we now need to play because of absences or strengths that we have and physicality and many things, we need a game of more control and not up and down. Don’t tell me why. It’s not personal, I decide decisions, that’s all, no more,” he said.

The big games keep on coming for Manchester City as they return to action following defeat in the Spanish capital with a test against the strongest team in England and perhaps Europe at present, as Liverpool visit the Etihad Stadium on Sunday.

It remains to be seen whether Guardiola will turn to De Bruyne for the contest having allowed the Belgian a prolonged period of rest in the build-up to the game, with the club to train on Saturday before the fixture.