Belgium and Manchester City fans received a blow as news surfaced that midfielder, Kevin De Bruyne, continues to struggle with injury.
The recent confirmation from his Belgium manager, Dominic Tedesco, about De Bruyne’s groin injury has sparked concerns about his fitness and availability for crucial matches.
De Bruyne’s injury struggles have been a recurring theme throughout the season.
After spending a significant portion of the campaign sidelined with a troublesome hamstring injury, he made a highly anticipated return to the pitch in January.
However, his comeback has been plagued by setbacks, with the latest setback being a groin issue.
The timing couldn’t be worse for Manchester City, as they gear up for their FA Cup quarter-final clash against Newcastle.
The 32 year-old’s absence from the squad is a significant blow, considering his instrumental role in the team’s midfield and creative playmaking abilities.
His absence could potentially impact City’s quest for silverware in the FA Cup, adding pressure on other players to step up in his absence.
Pep Guardiola, Manchester City’s manager, has had to carefully manage De Bruyne’s minutes on the pitch due to his injury concerns.
Despite starting three of the last four games, De Bruyne has had to contend with recurring niggles, indicating that his fitness remains a delicate issue.
Guardiola’s decision to rest him for certain matches reflects the cautious approach taken by the club to prevent exacerbating his injury woes.
The situation has also prompted action from the Belgium national team, with manager Dominic Tedesco opting to omit De Bruyne from the squad for the upcoming international break.
Tedesco cited precautionary measures in response to City’s notification of an underlying groin injury.
The decision underscores the significance of De Bruyne’s condition and the need for careful management to avoid aggravating his injury further.
