Manchester City midfielder Kevin De Bruyne had to come off in Wednesday night's match Inter Milan after he appeared to pick up an injury.
The Belgian playmaker received treatment after going down towards the end of the first half after looking uncomfortable. And despite playing on until the break, he did not re-emerge from the tunnel for the second half.
Though it remains to be seen if his early substitution was just a precaution, if De Bruyne is injured it would be a major headache for City and Pep Guardiola, who host title rivals Arsenal in their next Premier League fixture on Sunday.
De Bruyne left the field with the score goalless after an even 45 minutes of play. The match is a repeat of the 2023 final, which was won by City.
It was announced prior to kick off at The Etihad that Arsenal would be without captain Martin Odegaard for Sunday's match, with the Norway international set for a spell on the sidelines due to a "significant" ankle injury.
But while that may have buoyed City, the prospect of locking horns with Mikel Arteta's side without De Bruyne in tow would come as a major blow.
Speaking ahead of the match, Guardiola insisted that Sunday's huge fixture was not a factor in his team selection. When he was asked how much influence it had pre-match, he replied: "Zero."
De Bruyne was plagued by injury last term but has started the 2024/25 campaign in fine form and was lauded by Guardiola ahead of the Inter match.
After it was put to him that De Bruyne was looking as good as ever, Guardiola replied: “Yeah, I agree. But it’s the same as Erling [Haaland] in all the comments after the game. I said the season starts now and of course, there are a lot of games, started really well, come back good, especially in the Premier League games and the competitions that we had.”
Ubong12
0
Last tym u beat us without Rodri at Ur stadium 😂
And Saka didn't fixture in that match as well, so cut the crab, i beat you and wasn't a favor
Ubong12
0
man city is going to win 🏆 the game on Sunday
We'll wait and watch
Ubong12
0
The result of this game on Sunday will not define the season but it will definitely set the tone for the season..
Yeah
Ubong12
0
Nah he will be fit against arsenal becoz he hate it😅😅
Hate what??
Ubong12
0
They've admit we're the biggest Rival now because why??😂
diebkmrtz
0
Injuries to players this season,seem to be spiking,And they're still adding more games,why treat these players like Robots
they have to work for the money they receives. Even many president that run a whole country does not get paid like these footballers.
Kuriadavid
0
Nah he will be fit against arsenal becoz he hate it😅😅
Mukhtari
0
[image]
useless line up... keep hating Havertz, he is our best striker
Hiacmnry
0
When there is no De Brune, City seems to have a red card because Haaland doesn't play too
nonsense
Hoadklruyz
2
it would be fair if he's out for the clash against Arsenal since Martin is out also
ColinsGooner
1
Injuries to players this season,seem to be spiking,And they're still adding more games,why treat these players like Robots
Roabimoprt
1
When there is no De Brune, City seems to have a red card because Haaland doesn't play too
BarcaCitehhh
0
But why crying??? We also don't have ODEGAARD
Last tym u beat us without Rodri at Ur stadium 😂
Faocdmoty
0
man city is going to win 🏆 the game on Sunday
You lie
miguelbumba
2
The result of this game on Sunday will not define the season but it will definitely set the tone for the season..
Weelnorsty
1
man city is going to win 🏆 the game on Sunday
MustyLangi9
1
Vaecimprst
1
1-1
Vanclmrty
2
But why crying??? We also don't have ODEGAARD