Pep Guardiola gives injury update on Kevin De Bruyne following Man City win vs Bayern Munich

Pep Guardiola has allayed any fitness concerns surrounding Kevin De Bruyne after Manchester City’s Champions League win over Bayern Munich.

The Belgian was replaced in the 68th minute of the 3-0 victory, not long after he had received treatment at the side of the pitch following a knock he had picked up. De Bruyne managed to continue but appeared to be struggling to press with his usual vigour, and Erling Haaland even dropped deeper for a few seconds to help City’s shape off the ball.

But when De Bruyne was replaced by Julian Alvarez soon after, City’s no.17 seemed frustrated with Guardiola’s decision. Asked after the game to clarify his thinking, Guardiola replied: “Tactical decision. Julian for him.”

“I saw the performance and took the decision. In that moment we needed extra energy from Julian. I am here to take the decisions and it is my biggest quality."

City won in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final thanks to goals from Rodri, Bernardo Silva and Erling Haaland, and Guardiola singled out one of his goalscorers for particular praise after the match.

"Bernardo is a football player, he can play everywhere because he understands the game perfectly and every action with and without the ball," said the City boss. “When [Alphonso] Davies starts to go you cannot stop.

“Bernardo has the ability to read the positions, give us an extra pass. He’s so important in these types of games, he can play holding midfielder. He’s so, so important player and lately he’s scoring goals, which he lacked a little bit, now he’s being decisive.

"He’s a player who you say is going to play in that position and you don’t have to say anything else. I’ve been lucky to coach some very good players for Barca and Bayern. He’s one of the best players I ever trained in my life, ever, he’s something special as a football player."

Tuesday’s game at the Etihad was Silva’s 42nd appearance of the season in all competitions and Rodri is the only City player who can better that tally. It was also Silva’s fifth goal of the campaign, while he provided the assist for City’s first goal against Bayern.