LONDON — Kevin De Bruyne has been left out of Manchester City’s squad for the UEFA Super Cup game with Sevilla after the midfielder suffered another hamstring injury in the opening league game of the season.
The Belgium international left the field in the 36th minute of City’s 3-0 win at Burnley.
De Bruyne had previously limped off during the Champions League final win in June and manager Pep Guardiola had confirmed it was a recurrence of the same injury.
“It’s the hamstring again, same position. I don’t know (how long he will be out), it depends on the magnitude of the injury but it will be a few weeks,” Gaurdiola said after the game at Burnley.
“He is down. We have to reflect, talk to the doctors, and see what happened. He has to be relaxed, recover and come back.”
The extent of his previous hamstring problem was kept largely quiet as City’s players departed on Treble-winning celebrations and summer holidays after securing European glory in Istanbul.
Guardiola named a 22-man squad for the UEFA Super Cup game which takes place in Athens on Wednesday.
The game is played between last season’s Champions League and Europa League winners.
De Bruyne’s absence is a big blow for City ahead of their Super Cup clash with Europa League winners, Sevilla, in Athens, on Wednesday.
The 30-year-old enjoyed an excellent 2022/2023 season, providing 10 goals and 29 assists to help City win their glorious treble.
But his start to the new campaign has been disrupted by this latest setback. City will hope he can recover swiftly with a hectic schedule approaching.
“It’s the hamstring again. Same position. I don’t know [how long he will be out] it depends on the magnitude of the injury but it will be a few weeks out,” he told reporters.
“He felt really good and I spoke with him. He wanted to start. To play for 45 minutes was the idea. Maybe it was a mistake. But when someone is injured after 15-20 minutes, it’s not about that, it’s about something wrong.”
Meanwhile, Guardiola will look to the likes of Erling Haaland, Phil Fode and Jack Grealish to step up while De Bruyne is out. But the Belgian’s creativity and productivity will be greatly missed as the club begins the defence of its league crown this season.
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