Manchester City’s season is on shaky ground as they head into the derby against Manchester United. Kevin De Bruyne has urged his teammates to face the reality of their struggles, work harder, and fight back to regain control of their campaign.
DETAILS:
Manchester City finds itself in unfamiliar territory, grappling with a series of poor results. They are eight points adrift in the Premier League title race, out of the Carabao Cup, and staring down the possibility of Champions League elimination. The team’s form has led to growing concerns about their ability to maintain their dominance.
Kevin De Bruyne has stepped forward to address the crisis, emphasizing the need for accountability. “You have to accept the situation and accept that at the moment it’s going the way it is,” he said. “But you don’t make excuses and you work hard. You try to do your job, and hopefully, you improve.”
Reflecting on City’s recent performances, De Bruyne admitted that inconsistency has been a major factor. He highlighted games like their poor showing against Bournemouth and moments of promise that ultimately fell flat, such as their missed opportunities against Juventus.
City’s struggle for form makes today’s Manchester Derby even more critical. The stakes are not just about the points but also about restoring confidence within the squad and among the fans. De Bruyne stressed the significance of the game while maintaining focus on the broader picture.
Manager Pep Guardiola echoed De Bruyne’s sentiments, urging his team to keep their emotions in check while finding solutions to their on-field issues.
QUOTES:
De Bruyne on dealing with the crisis:
“You have to accept the situation and accept that at the moment it’s going the way it is. But you don’t make excuses and you work hard. You try to do your job, and hopefully, you improve.”
On City’s inconsistent performances:
“It was the same against Juventus. We could have been ahead one or 2-0. We didn’t do that, we concede, and then we were in trouble. At this moment in time, it’s going like this, and we have to try to find something to change this, but the quality is there.”
On the Manchester Derby:
“I understand it’s a big game. I understand the significance of winning that game and the bragging rights it gives the supporters. But for me, it’s still worth three points, and I have to do my job as I always do.”
Guardiola on managing emotions in high-stakes games:
“It’s important emotionally for our fans in the stadium, and it’s special. But always in these types of games, I would say that the less emotional you are, the better you will be.”
CITATIONS:
All quotes from Kevin De Bruyne and Pep Guardiola were sourced from their pre-match interviews ahead of Sunday’s Manchester Derby.
KEEP IN MIND:
The Manchester Derby is more than just another fixture—it’s a test of City’s resilience and their ability to overcome their toughest period in years. A win could reignite their season, while anything less may deepen the sense of crisis surrounding the team.
