Pep Guardiola explains Kevin De Bruyne Man City selection decision v Real Madrid

Pep Guardiola has revealed that a late illness forced Kevin De Bruyne to drop out of Manchester City’s side ahead of the Champions League game against Real Madrid due to illness.

The Belgian, who scored twice and provided an assist in last weekend’s win over Crystal Palace, was a shock omission from the starting line-up in the Champions League quarter-final, one of four changes for the European champions.

Manuel Akanji, Phil Foden, Mateo Kovacic and Bernardo Silva came in to replace De Bruyne, Rico Lewis, Oscar Bobb and Julian Alvarez from Saturday’s XI, while Stefan Ortega retained his place between the sticks.

But speaking before the first leg at the Bernabeu, Guardiola revealed De Bruyne’s lack of selection was a last-minute decision. “He feels unwell,” the former Barcelona manager told TNT Sport.

“I don’t know [if he can play]. We had a meeting and he was ready and then when he arrived here in the locker room he started to vomit. He feels unwell and he said ‘I am not ready’.

“It is what it is. It is not good news but other players are going to play and they are ready. Everyone is going to help.”

On the game, Guardiola added: “We are ready. I don’t know what is going to happen but we are ready to do our first part.

“These games, few are the same. You cannot be all the time doing what you want to do. In the bad moments, pick up as quickly as possible and impose as much as possible.”