Sunday Mirror (Northern Ireland)
PEP’S ON A SHANGHIGH
Boss raves over De Bruyne’s return
PEP GUARDIOLA has warned that the return of midfield master Kevin De Bruyne will make Manchester City an even stronger force this season.
The Belgian international has come through two 45-minute run-outs during the Premier League Asia Trophy unscathed – and looking back to his brilliant best.
De Bruyne made just 11 starts for City last season as knee and muscle injuries took their toll when Guardiola was guiding the Blues to a unique domestic Treble.
The City boss resisted the temptation to unleash the midfielder as his team chased history, nursing him through a gripping title race and bringing him on as a substitute in the FA Cup Final.
Guardiola said: “Kevin has been top. Unfortunately, last season we missed him a lot.
“We did incredibly well without him, but we are stronger with him.
“Last year, he didn’t have a holiday, but he has had more time to rest and he came back like he did two seasons ago.
“Hopefully, he can keep his level. He’s incredibly positive in his mind and his quality speaks for itself.
“He loves to play football and he’s a huge competitor.
“What we want now is to be calm and not get injuries. We have to take it step by step. He never lost his confidence as a player, even with what happened last season, but it’s important that he doesn’t get injured.”
Despite the positive news on De Bruyne, the Catalan (right) will leave China feeling like he has been well and truly shanghaied.
Wolves lifted the tournament spoils after a penalty shootout, in which keeper Rui Patricio emerged as the hero with three brilliant saves.
The Portuguese took a nasty kick to the head in an accidental first-half collision with Raheem Sterling.
But he recovered his senses to foil Ilkay Gundogan, David Silva and Lukas Nmecha when it mattered.
Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo said: “Rui is OK. He had a big cut and he’ll have stitches.
“He will have a scar – but that’s a part of his job.”
It was a miserable night for City from the spot. Sterling missed from 12 yards in the first half, lifting his effort too high with Patricio plunging the wrong way.
And although Guardiola’s men dominated, they were frustrated by a combination of their own poor finishing and
Patricio’s excellence.
Wolves’ players have been doing the hard yards after reporting back earlier to prepare for their Europa League campaign.
After hammering Newcastle 4-0 to book a date with City, this had looked a game too far for Nuno’s men against an impressively slick side, despite a line-up that was littered with youngsters.