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Agence France-Presse

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola said a brutal schedule was not allowing players to rest “mentally or physically” after revealing Kevin De Bruyne could miss the rest of the year with a hamstring injury.
De Bruyne limped off early in City’s 3-0 win over Burnley to open the Premier League season on Friday.
The 32-year-old had suffered a similar injury in the Champions League final just over two months ago as City beat Inter Milan to become European champions for the first time.
“It’s a serious injury,” Guardiola said ahead of the Uefa Super Cup between City and Sevilla in Athens. “We have to decide surgery or not surgery.”
He added: “Surgery I think will be three or four months out.”

De Bruyne joins a list of high-profile players to go down early in the new campaign.
Chelsea’s Christopher Nkunku had to undergo knee surgery on an injury picked up on a poor pitch during a preseason friendly in Chicago.
Arsenal’s new US$50 million defender Jurrien Timber, and Aston Villa duo Tyrone Mings and Emi Buendia, have all reportedly suffered anterior cruciate ligament injuries.
“In my first preseason with Barcelona we had 25 days of preparation before the first game, which was a Champions League qualifier. This season we had four or five before the first game,” added Guardiola.
“Look at all the cruciate ligament injuries there have been in all the big leagues this start of the season. The players don’t rest either physically or mentally.

“They make them travel to Asia or America for the club’s purposes and play really hard games on bad pitches and the players get injured, or will get injured, because they don’t have these 25 days to prepare.”
City have already lost two of their most potent attacking players from last season as Ilkay Gundogan joined Barcelona, and Riyad Mahrez departed for Saudi club Al-Ahli.
The English champions have been linked with a move for West Ham’s Lucas Paqueta, but Guardiola refused to be drawn on whether they will now be forced into the transfer market for an attacking midfielder.
He still has the likes of Phil Foden and Julian Alvarez to call upon to deputise, but said De Bruyne’s skill set is “irreplaceable”.
“Kevin has specific qualities. To lose it for a long time is really tough for us. At the same time we have to look forward … We have players with different talent.”


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English Premier League

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola blasts fixture schedule as Kevin De Bruyne faces 4 months out injured

Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne deals with a hamstring injury that may require surgery. Photo: AP

Manchester City’s Norwegian striker Erling Haaland (left) comforts Kevin De Bruyne as he leaves the pitch. Photo: AFP

Kevin De Bruyne among many Manchester City placers facing injuries so far this year. Photo: EPA-EFE

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HK Rangers goalkeeper Leung Hing-kit questioned the decision to award Haiphong a late penalty, which led to their equaliser. Photo: Yik Yeung-man

Haiphong’s Yuri Mamute scored twice in extra time to twist the knife against BC Rangers. Photo: Yik Yeung-man

BC Rangers were five minutes from victory, with Kanda Yumemi’s first-half strike looking to be enough at Mong Kok Stadium. Photo: Yik Yeung-man

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The AFC Champions League, which was won by Urawa Red Diamonds last season, is set for a big shakeup in 2024-25. Photo: AFP

Al-Ahli and Al-Hilal, who contested a round of 16 clash last season, will be two of the big threats again in the AFC Champions League. Photo: AFP

Sport

Football

Guardiola says team had no rest ‘physically or mentally’ before Premier League opener where Du Bruyne limped off with hamstring problem
City’s ‘irreplaceable’ midfielder may need surgery and could miss the rest of the year


Manchester City manager fumes with ‘irreplaceable’ midfielder Kevin De Bruyne facing surgery for hamstring injury.


Erling Haaland

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola blasts fixture schedule as Kevin De Bruyne faces 4 months out injured

Guardiola says team had no rest ‘physically or mentally’ before Premier League opener where Du Bruyne limped off with hamstring problem City’s ‘irreplaceable’ midfielder may need surgery and could miss the rest of the year

Guardiola says team had no rest ‘physically or mentally’ before Premier League opener where Du Bruyne limped off with hamstring problem

City’s ‘irreplaceable’ midfielder may need surgery and could miss the rest of the year