Unrecognizable. This is the word that perfectly describes the performance of Captain Kevin de Bruyne this Wednesday evening against PSG. Holder behind Erling Haaland, the Belgian international was expected for this shock from the Champions League. After having hurt Parisians several times in the past, he had to reoffend to help in the qualification race. But the middle of 33 years almost did the opposite as it seemed completely outdated.
It is not a secret for anyone, Kevin de Bruyne is closer to the end than at the start of his career. And this season, we feel a real decline. Often physically affected, he struggles to become regular again. If he is still capable of blows thanks to his formidable right leg, he no longer seems able to hold the cadence in the midfield. Faced with PSG, this is what made the difference. After the meeting, Pep Guardiola explained that his team had been physically dropped and had not managed to manage numerical inferiority in the midfield.
Alarming statistics
Kevin de Bruyne perfectly illustrates the difficulties mentioned by Pep Guardiola. Non -existent offensively, he multiplied technical clumsiness and sometimes slowed down the transitions of his family as he seemed too short each time. While he obtained the note of 4 by the FM editorial staff, the Belgian posted statistics well below his standards. 43% of duels won (only Foden does worse), 33% successful dribbles, 33% of successful centers and especially 73% of successful passes (worse total of his team). Figures that confirm his disturbing fall.
After the meeting, he was logically pointed out by the English press and the City supporters. The latter did not fail to highlight its physical level increasingly incompatible with the high level even more in the Pep Guardiola system which exhibits its fields. This season, he was only decisive 8 times (2 goals and 6 assists) in 22 games. And he has just chained a 5th game in a row in C1 without being decisive. Kevin de Bruyne was unrecognizable this Wednesday against PSG. And inevitably, it didn't help.
