De Bruyne cannot remember most of Man City's UCL final loss due to facial injury

Kevin De Bruyne revealed he has no memory of Manchester City’s Champions League final defeat after Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger fractured his nose and eye socket.

De Bruyne left the pitch in tears following the collision and was rushed straight to hospital, still in his strip when waking up the next morning.

That night kicked off a frustrating summer of injuries for the 30-year-old, who returned from the European Championship with damaged ankle ligaments and is only now rediscovering full fitness.

‘I don't remember a lot, I don't remember how I got into the hospital on the night itself,’ De Bruyne said. ‘There are not a lot of memories after the incident. Is that dark? Maybe. I got back in the morning to the team hotel at 10am still with my City kit on!

‘The last six months has been up and down, playing but not really training. I was in quite some pain with my ankle so it was good that we took the time off. I feel much better and feel myself getting stronger.’

Pep Guardiola believes his talisman is approaching somewhere close to his best as City face Club Brugge on Tuesday night.

‘He’s had tough injuries,’ Guardiola said. ‘Every game is better than the one before, regardless of goals or assists. It's the rhythm, the pace.

‘Kevin is not like others: he needs to be fit to be at his best. It's about how he attacks spaces. He's getting better and that is a good sign for us.’

De Bruyne, meanwhile, sympathises with Raheem Sterling after the England international voiced concern over a lack of starts for City.

‘Rotation is important because playing four competitions it's a tough ask sometimes,’ De Bruyne added. ‘But I understand the frustration.

‘You have some players who need more rhythm to get into it and maybe Raz is someone who needs more. I'm a player that needs that also.

‘Obviously it's the manager who has to make choices and it's very hard. We have a group of 22-23 internationals who are unbelievable. It can be frustrating but I think we try to help each other.’