In a moment that left the Etihad Stadium holding its breath, Kevin De Bruyne's emotional homecoming turned sour after just 26 minutes as Pep Guardiola made the startling decision to withdraw his returning talisman.
The Belgian maestro, making his first start since August after recovering from a persistent hamstring injury, cut a visibly disappointed figure as he trudged off the pitch during Manchester City's pre-season friendly against his former club Borussia Dortmund.
Frustration Written Large
De Bruyne's body language spoke volumes as he made his way to the dugout, exchanging brief words with Guardiola before taking his seat. The 32-year-old appeared to be moving comfortably during his brief cameo, even testing Dortmund goalkeeper Alexander Meyer with a characteristic long-range effort early in the game.
Guardiola later moved to reassure concerned supporters, explaining the substitution was purely precautionary. "He's okay, it was planned," the City manager stated. "Twenty-five minutes was the limit today. We didn't want to take any risks after so long out."
Careful Management
The cautious approach underscores City's determination to ensure their creative heartbeat is fully prepared for the Premier League's demanding schedule. De Bruyne's absence has been keenly felt since he limped off during August's victory over Burnley.
His return to action comes at a crucial time for the champions, who face Chelsea in the league next weekend before their Champions League campaign begins in earnest. The club's medical staff have implemented a carefully structured rehabilitation programme designed to prevent any recurrence of the hamstring issues that have plagued him in recent seasons.
What This Means for City
While the early substitution may concern some supporters, Guardiola's pragmatic approach demonstrates the club's long-term perspective. With the season entering its most intense period, having a fully fit De Bruyne available for crucial fixtures takes precedence over preseason minutes.
The Belgian's quality remains unquestioned - his ability to dictate tempo and provide match-winning moments makes him arguably irreplaceable in City's system. His understanding with Erling Haaland, forged during their time together at Dortmund, adds another dimension to City's already formidable attack.
All eyes will now be on De Bruyne's training progress this week as City prepare for their Premier League title defence. The Etihad faithful will hope this cautious withdrawal proves a minor setback rather than a sign of ongoing concerns.
