by “Kevin is a special player. See things others can’t see in the field“. That’s what he said pep guardiola about Kevin DeBruynehis magician in the core in the city of manchester and one of the main culprits in making his plan work. The one from Santpedor, who has coached the best footballers on the planet, is in love with the Belgian, who this Saturday returned to compete in the Premier with a great performance against Newcastle.
The Belgian was not a starter, but it didn’t matter: He took the field in the second half and was decisive in Manchester City’s comeback. Guardiola’s men, who suffered a lot in the open field, came back from the duel against Newcastle.
De Bruyne was the key that triggered the comeback. First with a great low shot close to the post, 2-2, and minutes later, with a delicious assist to Oscar Bobb to sign 2-3. The Belgian had been injured on August 11 against the Burnley. He returned in FA Cup before him HuddersfieldEdit and he had minutes again before him Newcastlein one of the big games of the day in the Prime Minister.
But why is it so important for the Catalan coach? DeBruyne is the extension of Guardiola on the playing field. He acts as a link between defense and attack and last season he wrote some scandalous numbers: 10 goals and 31 assists in 49 games. By far, He was the top assist in the Premier League with 18 assists on goals.
A CONSTANT DANGER
The footballer of city of manchester It stands out for many aspects, but above all. the ease with which he serves balls that generate scoring opportunities. Through precise crosses, when the rival defense is considerably closed in, he manages to gain the upper hand in very small spaces. The deliveries are so precise that the goalkeeper and the defenders doubt whether to attack the ball or not, and that is ‘candy’ for the attackers.
He finished last year with 31 goal passes among all the competitions, four more than what he harvested Leo Messi in the 2014/15 season. In fact, the Argentine is the last player to reach thirty (he reached 31 in 2011/12).
From the inside position, DeBruyne Yeah involves in the basis of the play. However, he also has the fangs to strike down rival defenses. filtering balls and shooting from long/medium distance with its two ‘cannons’ that it has for legs, which it dominates practically equally. Although he is right-handed, he plays with the same ease with his left foot. A fundamental factor to constantly generate dangerno matter what angle you have or the profile of the field you are on.
The centers behind the defense, one of Kevin De Bruyne’s greatest weapons. /EFE
Further away from the creation zone, he trusts in the quality of his defenders in deliveries and holds in more advanced positions. Thus, the team stretches to generate spaces that usually occupy the extremes or the interiors. It is deadly there. A hammer in the last third of the field.
DeBruyne He is one of those footballers who sees the big goal. He sends true direct missiles into the opponent’s net, unappealable for the goalkeeper. It is very easy to find the base of the sticks or squares.
IMPORTANT IN PRESSURE
One of the hallmarks of the teams pep guardiola It’s the pressure. And like the rest of his colleagues, DeBruyne has an important job in this regard. He works especially well in small spaces, exploiting loss recovery. If he steals the ball, he has enough power to organize the counterattack or to drive quickly into the opponent’s area. But in the open field it suffers more.
De Bruyne also plays an important role in Manchester City’s pressing /EFE
THE ART OF ALWAYS KNOWING WHAT TO DO
DeBruyne He has exquisite criteria to determine how to act, where to move and what to do to strengthen the team. In a statement to ‘Sky Sports’ he showed that he perfectly understands what is asked of him. Guardiola and how it should exploit its virtues. “Honestly, the ‘passes completed’ statistic is of no use to a player like me. You can have 96% accuracy, but if you pass safely you don’t generate anything. You are not dangerous. So what’s the point?“.
Kevin De Bruyne, a luxury passer for Guardiola / Agencies
The Belgian knows that the last third of the field is where he is really dangerous, so It is about constantly taking advantage of all the width generated by the wingers, using the space they invent to overcome the defensive pivots and receive the ball in their favorite area.. There, inside, he pulls out his wand.
now Guardiola You have reasons to smile. His ‘favorite’ is back after too long of waiting. The Belgian’s connection with Santpedor is special. And I know that is appreciated. The Catalan coach has different ‘eyes’ when he is on the green. And City takes on another rhythm. A champion pace.
