Kevin De Bruyne believes Europe’s top sides are wary of the threat of Manchester City.
The Premier League winners underlined their early status as Champions League favourites with a crushing 3-0 victory over Shakhtar Donetsk in Ukraine on Tuesday.
Manager Pep Guardiola described some of City’s football as the best of his tenure but, if it served as a reminder of the club’s power and ambition, De Bruyne feels it is one that was hardly needed.
KICK-OFF | Come on, City! 🔶 0-0 💙 #fcsdvcity #mancity pic.twitter.com/WxGI8pBpKx — Manchester City (@ManCity) October 23, 2018
The Belgium playmaker said: “I think they are wary of us anyway.
“We lost against Lyon so it was important to recover and now we want to be first in the group. There are still three games to go and we have work still to do.
“We just try to win every game and see where that takes us but there are about 10 teams who could win it.”
Great game against a tough opponent, happy to help the team with another goal ⚽️🙌🏽 pic.twitter.com/1GXrKxuizz — David Silva (@21LVA) October 23, 2018
City’s success, secured with goals from David Silva, Aymeric Laporte and Bernardo Silva, took them above Lyon to the top of Group F.
They are now well on course for a place in the last 16 ahead of Shakhtar’s return visit to the Etihad Stadium in a fortnight.
Although David Silva – who also hit the woodwork twice as City registered 24 shots – was the star of the show, De Bruyne also looked at ease.
He's been everywhere! 🧙♂️ 🔶 0-2 💙 #fcsdvcity #mancity pic.twitter.com/tZEreNb2zb — Manchester City (@ManCity) October 23, 2018
The match was his first start of the season after two months out with a knee injury, and De Bruyne said: “I prefer to play than be on the sidelines, that’s for sure.
“I’ve worked hard to get back as quickly as possible and then you try to get back with the rhythm of the team.
“It went well with the injury. There were not a lot of complications. I’ve worked hard to be back and I’m happy to be here.”
👀 Look who's back… 💪 Kevin De Bruyne starts first game since May. #UCL pic.twitter.com/4D1qIraNXM — UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) October 23, 2018
De Bruyne did not go as far as Guardiola in hailing the performance, however.
He said: “We play so many games that it’s difficult to say that. Each game has different aspects.
“We should have scored more but to go away from here with a 3-0 victory is good.”
City, the Premier League leaders, are next in action on Monday as they face Tottenham at Wembley.
What a performance and 3 more points! We’re on the right path @ManCity 🔵🔵#ucl #mancity #mcfc pic.twitter.com/94602fv54N — Bernardo Silva (@BernardoCSilva) October 23, 2018
The match was originally scheduled for Saturday at Spurs’ new stadium but – with that ground not ready – it was switched.
It had to be staged on Monday because Wembley is hosting NFL at the weekend.
That has raised concerns over what state the pitch will be in and De Bruyne admits it could be tough.
Asked if he had played on an American football pitch before, he said: “Yes, in pre-season. It’s not nice, it’s going to be difficult.
Next-up in the @premierleague! 🙌 Will it be a Blue Monday? 🔵#mancity pic.twitter.com/8fZSfgGKtl — Manchester City (@ManCity) October 24, 2018
“I’m not sure how it’s going to be. We hope it will be OK and we can play like we normally do.
“These games are the most important ones. We have to go and show our intent to stay on the top.
“They’ll try to do the same because they are close (to us). It’s a big one.”
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