Man City made pivotal Kevin De Bruyne call ahead of big four – games run
Manchester City are entering a pivotal period in their quest to defend their Premier League crown and they need to be able to rely on their main men.
Kevin De Bruyne in discussion with Nathan Ake on the Manchester City bench.
Kevin De Bruyne (centre) will be key to Manchester City’s quest for the title.
If Manchester City do retain their Premier League crown this season, they will do so in the knowledge they had to work hard for it.
After their six-game winning run in the league came to end against Chelsea last Saturday, City were in danger of being frustrated by another west London outfit at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday night. But after 71 minutes of knocking on the Brentford door, Erling Haaland eventually found a way through.
His 22nd goal of the season in all competitions was enough to clinch a slender 1-0 victory and an invaluable three points. City, as a result, are now back above Arsenal in the standings and targeting Liverpool at the summit.
In a title race that is continuing to ebb and flow, Liverpool, City and Arsenal are each playing their own part in it. They have each set an impressive pace that is likely to push each contender to their limits.
City, this weekend, will have the opportunity to apply more pressure to Liverpool shoulders; the Merseysiders have a weekend off from Premier League action, instead focusing on trying to win the first domestic trophy of the campaign at Wembley, facing Chelsea in the League Cup final.
City make the long trip south on Saturday teatime to face Bournemouth, who they made mincemeat of in the reverse fixture at the Etihad back in November, hitting them for six. Pep Guardiola’s side has won every Premier League meeting between the two, but nothing can be taken for granted in a title race that has already offered its fair share of twists and turns.
The trip to the Vitality Stadium marks the beginning of a crucial four-game run for City ahead of the final international break of the season next month. After locking horns with the Cherries, the Blues will switch their attentions to their FA Cup fifth-round tie with Luton Town three days later.
Parking the defence of their FA Cup crown for now, City’s next league outing after the clash with Bournemouth is, of course, the Manchester derby at the Etihad. City will head into it as overwhelming favourites, but are likely to have to try and break down a stubborn United wall in the same way Liverpool had to – and failed to – at Anfield in December.
The following weekend, City face Liverpool themselves before heading to Brighton & Hove Albion ahead the final pause before the sprint to the finish line. Though City, on their day, can beat anyone, and often brush them aside in the process, their upcoming crop of fixtures represent stern tests. They also face Arsenal immediately after the hiatus on March 31 at the Etihad.
Manchester City’s players celebrate after Erling Haaland’s winner against Brentford.
Manchester City had to be patient against Brentford.
Against Brentford, Chelsea and Everton, City required patience, scoring each of the four goals they netted across those three games in the second half. If they face similar lock-picking exercises in the coming weeks, they will be hoping they can rely on Kevin De Bruyne.
The Belgian played no part in the win over Brentford, with Guardiola confirming post-match he sat the game out due to a hamstring issue. He was among the substitutes, but did not participate in the pre-match warm-up.
Such is the level of De Bruyne’s ability to make something happen in the blink of an eye, City will be hoping he is not set for another spell on the sidelines. Fortunately, Guardiola said his absence on Tuesday night was as a result of him taking a precautionary approach. It could turn out to be a precaution that was worth taking.
City, in such a tightly contested race, need him available. This upcoming sequence of games has the potential to dictate the mood within the camp heading into a two-week break in the second half of next month.
Facing Liverpool and Arsenal in three of their next five league matches highlights the sheer size of the challenge, as well as opportunity, coming up for City. If they can secure a good haul of points from their upcoming crop of games, particularly against Liverpool and Arsenal, they will be immensely confident of retaining their crown.
Many have suggested the title will be decided based on the outcome of the clashes between the three contenders. Arsenal and Liverpool have already gone toe-to-toe twice this season, meaning City could potentially hold all the cards in that respect.
Of course, the FA Cup and Champions League are still on City’s agenda, too, but their next four league games ahead of the final pause of the season will be crucial, if not defining.
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