the worrying fall of Kevin De Bruyne against PSG

Unrecognizable. This is the word that perfectly describes the performance of captain Kevin De Bruyne this Wednesday evening against PSG. Starting behind Erling Haaland, the Belgian international was expected for this Champions League shock. After having hurt the Parisians several times in the past, he had to do it again to help in the race for qualification. But the 33-year-old midfielder almost did the opposite as he seemed completely overwhelmed.

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It's no secret that Kevin De Bruyne is closer to the end than the beginning of his career. And this season, we feel a real decline. Often physically affected, he struggles to become regular again. If he is still capable of bursts thanks to his formidable right paw, he no longer seems able to keep up the pace in midfield. Against PSG, that’s what made the difference. After the match, Pep Guardiola explained that his team had been physically let down and had not been able to manage the numerical inferiority in the midfield.

Alarming statistics

Kevin De Bruyne perfectly illustrates the difficulties mentioned by Pep Guardiola. Non-existent offensively, he multiplied the technical blunders and sometimes slowed down his team's transitions as he seemed too short each time. While he received a rating of 4 from the FM editorial team, the Belgian posted statistics well below his standards. 43% of duels won (only Foden does worse), 33% of successful dribbles, 33% of successful crosses and above all 73% of successful passes (worst total for his team). Figures which confirm its worrying fall.

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After the match, he was logically singled out by the English press and City supporters. The latter did not fail to highlight his physical level which is increasingly incompatible with the high level even more in Pep Guardiola's system which exposes his midfielders. This season, he has only been decisive 8 times (2 goals and 6 assists) in 22 matches. And he has just completed a 5th match in a row in C1 without being decisive. Kevin De Bruyne was unrecognizable this Wednesday against PSG. And obviously, that didn't help.