Kevin De Bruyne did not do what Pep Guardiola wanted in the first half but the Manchester City captain improved markedly

Pep Guardiola declared that Kevin De Bruyne is back after the Manchester City skipper played his part in a 3-0 win over Bristol City.

De Bruyne has had a difficult time since the World Cup, like many of the squad, and a recent illness kept him out of the trip to Leipzig and any minutes at Bournemouth. He returned in the starting XI in the FA Cup on Tuesday even though Guardiola said that he was still carrying some of the effects of his illness.

That resulted in a first half that the City boss was not satisfied with fully, despite his team taking a 1-0 lead thanks to a Phil Foden goal. But some strong words at half time were enough for De Bruyne to return to the pitch and have a bigger impact, influencing more of the play and topping his performance with the third goal struck past the keeper from outside the box.

“Kevin is back after his illness,” said Guardiola. “He struggled with his rhythm in the first half, the second half was the Kevin that we know.

“In the first half he was so passive. We needed movements and he didn’t move.

“We said at half time not just to stay in that position. Move inside, outside, channels. We need his contributions.

“In the second half he won the second balls where the first half he didn’t win one, but he wasn’t there after illness and one week off. You can lose a little bit of that rhythm.”

source: www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk