“I cannot say, I don't know” | Pep Guardiola not sure when Kevin De Bruyne will return from injury

De Bruyne to Miss Out, Guardiola Reflects on Team’s Consistency

Manchester City will be without Kevin De Bruyne for tomorrow’s Champions League match against Sparta Prague, as the midfielder continues to recover from a hamstring injury. De Bruyne has been sidelined for over a month, and City boss Pep Guardiola remains non-committal on his potential return date.

"We can’t put a time scale on it," Guardiola said. "Rodri and other players are training, getting better, but they’re not completely fit like Kevin. He’s not 22 anymore; he needs to be fully fit to express his incredible potential."

Despite De Bruyne’s absence, Guardiola emphasized that the team will still field a strong lineup, citing the importance of squad depth. "We can’t forget what these guys have done over the past 10 years," he said. "They’ve won the Premier League four times, but all those teams that won the Premier League didn’t qualify for the Champions League the following season. It’s a big issue."

Guardiola also lauded the team’s ability to retain passion and drive, even in the face of success. "I feel the team still has the passion to celebrate, even when we’re not at our best. We can celebrate in October, not just April or May."

Withalker also set to miss the match, the injury-plagued midfielder has now missed consecutive games. The atmosphere at the Etihad Stadium will be electric, with City looking to build on their recent momentum. Despite the absences, Guardiola remains confident in his team’s ability to get the job done. "The passion and desire to win is still there, and that’s what matters most," he concluded.

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