Man City are gradually getting into the rhythm of the new season. They just defeated Napoli 2-0, in a match where coach Pep Guardiola proved to everyone that, for the Etihad team, it’s okay to not have Kevin de Bruyne!
After leaving Man City to join Napoli, midfielder Kevin de Bruyne recounted in a resentful voice: “I told them that I could still contribute to Man City, then waited and hoped for a new contract. But for almost a year, they didn’t say anything to me. My patience was gradually fading. Then one day, I realized that they didn’t need me anymore.” In a recent interview, when questioned by reporters about the story mentioned by Kevin de Bruyne, coach Pep Guardiola refused to answer. He emphasized that the best way to show respect for his former student whom he loved very much was to say nothing. Instead, the Spanish strategist wanted those interested to have their own answers, through the reality on the field.
The match between Man City and Napoli in the early morning of September 19th was the answer that Pep Guardiola wanted to give to those who were still wondering about the end of Kevin de Bruyne at Etihad. On the day of returning to his old home, the star who was voted the best midfielder of all time in the Premier League only played for less than 30 minutes, then was withdrawn by coach Antonio Conte. Sitting on the bench at Etihad to watch his old team play, perhaps De Bruyne understood why Pep no longer needed him. This was the match where Man City showed their boundless creativity in their playing style. They played with versatility, constantly besieging Napoli’s goal and launched 23 shots towards the Italian team’s goal, 8 of which were on target. The highlight of Man City’s attacking style was the “dominance” of the duo Erling Haaland and Phil Foden – the midfielder who was voted the best player after the match with Napoli.
Erling Haaland was the man who opened the scoring at the Etihad to help Man City break the deadlock. It was a delicate goal, headed by the Norwegian international after a clever move. Phil Foden was notably involved in the Norwegian’s goal. The English midfielder observed very quickly, then launched a high pass that perhaps only those with an infinite IQ could do.
That move can be considered a characteristic of the attacking style that coach Pep Guardiola has worked hard to build for Man City. It shows the sophistication, sensitivity, improvisation and technique, as well as the understanding of each other down to the last hair of the coordinators. Sharing in the post-match interview, hero Haaland affirmed that just a glance from teammate Foden was enough for him to understand how he would have to move to be able to receive the ball in the most favorable position.
In fact, since Man City won the historic “treble” in the 2022/23 season, Pep Guardiola has begun to notice the decline of his favorite player Kevin de Bruyne. The burden of age, combined with constant injuries, has made the Belgian’s legs no longer obediently follow the instructions of his head. The Spanish coach has therefore prepared by regularly pulling Phil Foden into the middle to play the role of creator to replace De Bruyne.
The past two years have been enough for Phil Foden to absorb the instructions of coach Pep Guardiola to play the role of an attacking midfielder well, and also enough for the England international to understand how to best promote the “Beast” instinct in Erling Haaland. In the opposite direction, Haaland also knows how to best interact with Foden, especially in situations of moving without the ball.
Coach Pep Guardiola was right. Man City clearly no longer needed Kevin de Bruyne. Because Phil Foden replaced him to become an extremely compatible partner with Erling Haaland.
