The Belgian playmaker was unable to continue and was replaced by Ilkay Gündogan at half-time after taking a knock. It’s a blow for City who face Arsenal in four days’ time.
Manchester City’s 2024/25 Champions League campaign claimed its first victim in Kevin De Bruyne, who was forced to retire midway through this evening’s opener against Inter Milan.
De Bruyne was involved in a collision with Hakan Calhanoglu and Yann Sommer in the dying minutes of the first half and went off to receive treatment. When he re-entered the game, he looked clearly in discomfort and went down again before referee Glenn Nyberg blew the half-time whistle.
Guardiola makes double substitution
After another assessment in the treatment room during the interval, it was decided that De Bruyne would play no further part in the game. He was replaced by Ilkay Gündogan in a double substitution with Phil Foden on for Savinho for the second 45 minutes.
It’s an untimely setback for Pep Guardiola’s team, who face direct Premier League rivals Arsenal at the Etihad in Sunday’s late game and may have to do so without one of their key players.
It’s not known how serious De Bruyne’s injury is - he will undergo fresh tests in the morning. But even a sprain might scupper his chances of being available to face Arsenal. Last season, the Belgian playmaker spent 127 days on the sidelines with a hamstring issue.
Title challengers Arsenal have injury problems of their own, as it emerged today that Martin Ødegaard faces two months out after picking up an ankle injury while on duty with Norway earlier this month.