The Belgian worldwide featured for the Citizens as they overcame a 2-1 deficit in the first leg of their Capital One Cup semi-final against Everton by beating the Toffees 3-1 at the Etihad Stadium.
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Everton captain Phil Jagielka was left seething by referee Martin Atkinson’s reply over the decision to allow Kevin De Bruyne’s Capital One Cup goal to stand. “It could be the medial ligament but we will know more tomorrow”, Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini told Sky Sports.
Manchester City have been hit with a huge injury blow with star attacker Kevin De Bruyne ruled out for up to 10 weeks.
‘We knew after the game it was a serious injury, although not out for the whole season because it’s not his cruciate ligament, ‘ said Pellegrini. “I’ll be out for around 10 weeks”, wrote the Belgium worldwide, who will miss the showpiece final against Liverpool at Wembley on February 28.
The 24-year-old De Bruyne has scored five goals in five appearances in the League Cup this season, including at least one in every round. “His dream is to always be playing football”.
City are second in the Premier League table, three points behind leaders Leicester City, and play Dynamo Kiev in the Champions League last 16. If you tell me we are going to replace him with any player: “no, because he is a very important player, but as a team we must find a way to replace him”.
Everton goalkeeper Joel Robles accused De Bruyne of milking the injury to waste time in the dying minute of the match. In the heat of the moment I didn’t realise he was badly hurt.
They were pegged back just five minutes later when Fernandinho’s deflected effort looped into the net, and Sergio Aguero struck the post as City tried to bring the tie level.
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With the likes of Vincent Kompany and Samir Nasri long-term absentees and David Silva struggling to regain fitness De Bruyne’s absence offers a major boost to Arsenal and the other sides in the top four.
