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Football

16th Aug 2020

Kevin De Bruyne delivers scathing assessment of City’s European exit

Wayne Farry

kevin de bruyne

De Bruyne was honest after yet another European exit for City

Kevin De Bruyne didn’t hold back during his post-match interview after Manchester City’s Champions League defeat at the hands of Olympique Lyonnais on Saturday night.

The Belgian midfielder, who on Sunday was named Premier League Player of the Season, was one of City’s star performers on the night, but his side were unable to overcome Rudy Garcia’s team as they fell to what is increasingly becoming a surprisingly predictable Champions League departure.

“It’s a different year, same stuff,” said De Bruyne, who scored City’s equaliser on the night, to BT Sport.

“The first half wasn’t good enough. The second half we played well had them under pressure. We were more offensive. Even at 2-1 if Ras (Raheem Sterling) scores the goal it’s 2-2. They made it 3-1 and the game’s over. Lyon didn’t really create but we need to learn.

“I need to go home because my wife is expecting,” he added. “I need something to focus on.”

De Bruyne has been one of City’s standout performers this season alongside Raheem Sterling, who missed a sitter late on against Lyon, less than a minute before Moussa Dembele scored his second and Lyon’s third, thanks to an uncharacteristic error by goalkeeper Ederson.

The defeat to Ligue Un’s seventh-best side last season has left many questioning the selection decisions made by manager Pep Guardiola on the night.

The Catalan coach left Phil Foden, arguably City’s best performer post-lockdown, on the bench for the entirety of the game, and chose instead to match Lyon’s set up, leaving City blunt in attack for large portions of the game.