As the clock strikes 00:30 tomorrow morning, the Man City Derby, the highlight of the 16th round of the English Premier League, is about to begin at Manchester City's home ground, with a lot of gunpowder. On the eve of the big game, City's soulful midfielder De Bruyne spoke to the media about his self-adjustment, his understanding with his teammates, and his insights into the upcoming game.
Talking about his personal state, De Bruyne confessed: "The pubic bone pain that plagued me still brings me discomfort from time to time. Although my physical condition is steadily recovering and I have been able to keep playing in three consecutive matches, the road to recovery from this ailment is still long. In the moments it returns, the pain and discomfort can be doubly exhausting. After all, this is the first time in my life that I've experienced it, and the adjustment process is naturally not easy."
In the face of City's recent ups and downs, De Bruyne is full of confidence: "I firmly believe that we will be able to set the clouds in motion. Ups and downs are the norm in the world of soccer, and as long as we get back to winning ways, the form will naturally follow."
Asked about his personal relationship with Liverpool defender Van Dyke, De Bruyne revealed, "We have a great relationship and the friendship between the two families has long gone beyond the pitch. During the holidays, we go on trips together. Despite being public figures, we still lead ordinary lives in private."
Speaking about his admiration for teammates Ake and Van Dyke, De Bruyne said, "They are ordinary people like me. We are well aware of our celebrity status, but life remains ordinary. The kids go to the same school and play around, and naturally we have a lot in common as we are of a similar age."
Looking ahead to the upcoming Manchester derby, De Bruyne was adamant: "This game has nothing to do with the team's current form. Sometimes you're in great form and you lose, and vice versa. But if we can win this game with a good performance, it will definitely give us a big boost. The importance of this game cannot be overstated and we will give it our all."
