Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola addressed the situation involving Kevin De Bruyne and Savinho after both were substituted during the match against Inter Milan.
Kevin De Bruyne, seen during the UEFA Champions League clash with Inter, appeared to suffer an injury towards the end of the first half and did not return for the second. Phil Foden replaced him, while Savinho was also taken off, with Ilkay Gundogan coming on.
Since his £21m summer move from Troyes, Savinho has faced numerous setbacks. He was substituted at halftime during City’s Premier League opener against Chelsea, missed the West Ham match due to a knee injury, exited late in the Brentford game, and was again withdrawn at halftime against Inter. De Bruyne, on the other hand, was making his fifth consecutive start, having featured in four Premier League matches and played twice for Belgium during the international break.
Guardiola, informed by the medical staff about De Bruyne’s condition before the second half, hadn’t yet discussed the full extent of the injury by the time of his press conference. However, he hinted that both substitutions were primarily tactical decisions.
“I haven’t spoken to the doctors yet. I’ll have more information tomorrow,” Guardiola stated. “Inter defended with a 5-3-2 formation, and when five players shifted to one side, it was difficult to get the ball to Rodri. We needed quick ball movement and players skilled in tight spaces. Rico [Lewis], Phil, and Gundo are the best in those pockets. Phil came in, turned, and shot, and Gundo was there for two crosses.”
Guardiola further explained, “Around 35 minutes in, I was already thinking about making this substitution. The doctor then informed me Kevin wasn’t fit to continue, but I was planning to make the change regardless.”
Looking ahead to the upcoming match against Arsenal, the Gunners will be without Martin Odegaard, who suffered an ankle injury while playing for Norway. However, Declan Rice is available after serving a suspension in their previous game against Spurs.
