Al-Sisi: Cairo to host Gaza reconstruction conference in November    PM Madbouly chairs meeting on public-private partnerships in tourism    Egypt launches project to upgrade export environment, streamline port procedures    Gulf investors turn to Egypt's real estate market as strategic gateway for growth    At Aswan Forum, Egypt's FM urges reform of UN Security Council, finance bodies    Tensions rise in Gaza as Israel violates ceasefire agreement    Egypt, WHO sign cooperation strategy to strengthen health system through 2028    EHA, Arab Hospitals Federation discuss cooperation on AI, sustainable healthcare    Egypt's FM joins Sahel region roundtable at Aswan Forum    Egypt successfully hosts Egyptian Amateur Open golf championship with 19-nation turnout    Africa can lead global recovery, Egypt's Sisi tells Aswan Forum    From Impression to Analysis: What International Performance Indicators Reveal about Egypt    Egyptian pound edges up slightly against dollar in Sunday midday trading    Supply Minister: No change in subsidised bread price amid diesel hike    Health ministers adopt 'Cairo Call to Action' to tackle breast cancer across Eastern Mediterranean    Egypt, India hold first strategic dialogue to deepen ties    Egypt: Guardian of Heritage, Waiting for the World's Conscience    Egypt, Qatar sign MoU to boost cooperation in healthcare, food safety    Egypt, UK, Palestine explore financing options for Gaza reconstruction ahead of Cairo conference    Egypt will never relinquish historical Nile water rights, PM says    Al Ismaelia launches award-winning 'TamaraHaus' in Downtown Cairo revival    Al-Sisi, Burhan discuss efforts to end Sudan war, address Nile Dam dispute in Cairo talks    Egypt's Sisi warns against unilateral Nile actions, calls for global water cooperation    Egypt unearths one of largest New Kingdom Fortresses in North Sinai    Egypt unearths New Kingdom military fortress on Horus's Way in Sinai    Egypt Writes Calm Anew: How Cairo Engineered the Ceasefire in Gaza    Egypt's acting environment minister heads to Abu Dhabi for IUCN Global Nature Summit    Egyptian Open Amateur Golf Championship 2025 to see record participation    Cairo's Al-Fustat Hills Park nears completion as Middle East's largest green hub – PM    El-Sisi boosts teachers' pay, pushes for AI, digital learning overhaul in Egypt's schools    Syria releases preliminary results of first post-Assad parliament vote    Karnak's hidden origins: Study reveals Egypt's great temple rose from ancient Nile island    Egypt resolves dispute between top African sports bodies ahead of 2027 African Games    Egypt aims to reclaim global golf standing with new major tournaments: Omar Hisham    Germany among EU's priciest labour markets – official data    Paris Olympic gold '24 medals hit record value    It's a bit frustrating to draw at home: Real Madrid keeper after Villarreal game    Russia says it's in sync with US, China, Pakistan on Taliban    Shoukry reviews with Guterres Egypt's efforts to achieve SDGs, promote human rights    Sudan says countries must cooperate on vaccines    Johnson & Johnson: Second shot boosts antibodies and protection against COVID-19    Egypt to tax bloggers, YouTubers    Egypt's FM asserts importance of stability in Libya, holding elections as scheduled    We mustn't lose touch: Muller after Bayern win in Bundesliga    Egypt records 36 new deaths from Covid-19, highest since mid June    Egypt sells $3 bln US-dollar dominated eurobonds    Gamal Hanafy's ceramic exhibition at Gezira Arts Centre is a must go    Italian Institute Director Davide Scalmani presents activities of the Cairo Institute for ITALIANA.IT platform    







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Manchester City counting on fit-again De Bruyne to boost title defence
Published in Ahram Online on 07 - 01 - 2019

Manchester City's chances of overtaking Liverpool and defending their Premier League title depend to a large extent on Belgian midfielder Kevin De Bruyne staying fit and in form for the rest of the campaign, manager Pep Guardiola said.
De Bruyne was a key player in the side that won the title last term, but injuries have restricted him to six league appearances resulting in City being nine points worse off than they were at the same stage last season.
“I've said many times how important Kevin is for us,” Guardiola told reporters after his team trounced second-tier Rotherham United 7-0 in the FA Cup on Sunday. “Without him, last season maybe it would not have been possible.
“Last season he played incredible minutes but hopefully in the second leg of the season he will help us because we need him.”
De Bruyne, who had eight league goals and 16 assists for City last season, played for more than an hour against Rotherham and looked close to full fitness, driving forward from midfield to create a host of chances for his team.
“Now he's back, he will be fresh in the mind and the legs, and is going to help give us extra creativity in the last third, in the fight,” Guardiola said.
“He played an incredible game, created a lot of chances and has the vision to see what other people cannot see.”
City, who trail league leaders Liverpool by four points, next host Burton Albion in the semi-finals of the League Cup on Wednesday before facing Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League on Jan. 14.
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