Why Kevin De Bruyne was benched for Man City vs Bournemouth

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An explanation for the absence of Kevin De Bruyne from Manchester City’s starting line-up to face Bournemouth has been provided on Saturday evening.

The Sky Blues, of course, are currently locked in action at the Vitality Stadium.

After watching title rivals Arsenal reestablish their five-point advantage atop the Premier League table, Pep Guardiola’s troops made the trip to England’s south coast, eyeing a victory of their own against Bournemouth.

And, as things stand late on Saturday, this is precisely what the champions appear headed towards.

Owing to first-half goals on the part of all of Julian Alvarez, Phil Foden and the record-breaking Erling Haaland, City find themselves in possession of a presumably insurmountable 3-0 lead.

And yet, as alluded to above, en route to what looks set to prove another comfortable victory, one key member of the Citizens’ setup was forced to make do with a spot on the bench.

Belgian international De Bruyne was a surprise last-minute absent from City’s travelling squad to face RB Leipzig in the first-leg of the Champions League Last-16 tie between the clubs earlier this week, after coming down with a bout of illness.

In turn, upon his place on the bench, rather than in his latest XI, being confirmed ahead of kick-off this evening, boss Guardiola was inevitably drawn on De Bruyne’s situation.

And the Spanish tactician went on to explain:

‘I didn’t see him fully recover, that’s why maybe for a few minutes is better than 90.’

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Conor Laird

Die-hard Juventus fan with a love for all things Italian, and a real soft spot for Arsenal cult heroes. Emmanuel Eboue, Nicklas Bendtner, Philippe Senderos... Give them all statues outside the Emirates.

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