The Man City star appears to have avoided a serious injury against Crystal Palace, but his manager was still demanding action after the game
Pep Guardiola urged referees to give better protection to all Premier League players after Manchester City star Kevin De Bruyne escaped a serious injury from a crude Jason Puncheon tackle on Sunday.
City were looking to catch Crystal Palace on the break late on in Sunday's 0-0 draw, with Ederson saving a Luka Milivojevic penalty just a few moments earlier.
De Bruyne released the ball midway through the City half and was caught late by a very strong tackle from Puncheon, who injured himself in the process.
The Belgium international was initially carried off the pitch on a stretcher with his leg in a brace, but he was soon seen ambling down the touchline with the support of City's medical staff.
And while it looks as though De Bruyne has avoided a potentially lengthy spell on the sidelines, Guardiola believes more should be done to protect players from unnecessary injuries.
"We were lucky in the recent games, and today we will see," Guardiola told reporters.
"It's the same, I admire the physicality, but referees need to protect players. That's all I ask. Hopefully it will not be bad [the injury].
"People are talking about diving and about how they [the referees] need to focus on the diving, that's OK. But not just Man City players, all the players of the league [need protecting].
"I know the contact is maybe more allowed here than any other country, that's OK, but there are limits.
"We were lucky against Tottenham with Raz [Raheem Sterling] and Kevin, Newcastle with [Ilkay] Gundogan. And we will see [about De Bruyne].
"Maybe it's just a huge kick, but maybe he will not be ready for the Watford game in two days. Protect all the players, please."
Ryan83
59
this is the reason why a lot of great players avoid the premier league, why have a short career in England when you can have a lone one in Spain, and remember it's the same money.
ismaalnasi
53
A double standard opinion. see how people are now sympathizing with Guardiola. Weeks ago Vincent Kompany as the last defender, committed a sending off tackle on Vardy, only to escape with a yellow card. But Guardiola was mute. If it's Mourinho, the same people would be saying complain master. So every manager complain if decisions doesn't favor them. Guardiola once complained about the ball, Klopp once complained about the wind.
CityMan
45
Yeah lots of leg breaking tackles in our last 4 games.🤔no red cards or retrospective action.🤔 FA only fines managers for stupid stuff but they don't care about potentially career ending tackles.🤷♂️
Lowacdems
44
it is a deliberate attempt to injure this guy's. Delle Alli did on kdb Keane did on sterling. no wonder players prefer Spain. those referee should not be allowed to refer games with such bias mind.
victorbarcelona
27
He said the fact about physicality of the league, but ref need to protect the players as the Pep man say, this Man is just like a blessing to this league.