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"We’ve been fighting all the time" - Kevin De Bruyne reflects on Manchester City success and addresses Champions League critics

"We’ve been fighting all the time" - Kevin De Bruyne reflects on Manchester City success and addresses Champions League critics

Kevin De Bruyne has directly addressed critics of Manchester City's success in the Champions League.

Manchester City’s midfield maestro Kevin De Bruyne has reflected on the silverware he has won and replied to those that criticise the club’s inability to win the Champions League.

It’s safe to say that Manchester City have enjoyed one of the most successful eras under Pep Guardiola by any club side in the modern era.

After all, the Spaniard sits only behind Sir Alex Ferguson as the manager with the most Premier League title wins to his name (four).

Perhaps the more impressive feat is the fact that the Catalan boss and his side have achieved the incredible feat in no time, winning four league titles in five seasons.

Pep Guardiola with the Premier League trophy
Pep Guardiola with the Premier League trophy

Considering the likes of legendary coaches such as Jose Mourinho and Arsene Wenger are held in such high regard, Pep Guardiola and his City side are right up there amongst English football’s pantheon of greats.

However, their enviable trophy haul stretches during this decorated period stretch well beyond merely the Premier League triumphs.

The Sky Blues became the first team in history to lift four successive Carabao Cup titles.

Additionally, City’s 6-0 thumping of Watford in the 2019 FA Cup final is the joint-largest margin of victory ever recorded in a final in the competition’s history.

Aside from these major honours, City have also lifted the FA Community on two occasions under Guardiola.

With other accolades such as winning an unprecedented domestic treble and recording the highest-ever points tally in a Premier League season, this City side have reached uncharted territory time and time again.

As a result, when Kevin De Bruyne was quizzed about whether he would like to get his hands on a World Cup or a Champions League title first, he first reflected on the pride of lifting a host of trophies at the Etihad Stadium.

“It’s something I’ve not won yet so it would definitely be special. But I don’t take anything for granted because I know also how it is to win a League Cup or FA Cup or the league”, he said in an interview with Forbes magazine.

Kevin De Bruyne in pre-season
Kevin De Bruyne in pre-season

The Belgian continued: “What we have achieved in the last seven years at City has been unbelievable. Winning that many trophies shows the consistency we have and I think that’s also important.”

Touching on the critics that have slated the Sky Blues’ failure to become Champions League winners over the years, the revered playmaker stated: “I know people get a stick out and say ‘you’ve not won the Champions League’, but we’ve been there, we’ve been fighting all the time.

Kevin De Bruyne was a goalscorer in the first-leg (Sportimage / Alamy)
Kevin De Bruyne was a goalscorer in the first-leg (Sportimage / Alamy)

"Even being in the top eight, top four a lot of times in the Champions League is a very big achievement. Obviously, you want to win it but we are there or thereabouts and we will try to do the same every year.”

Ultimately, a serial winner like Kevin De Bruyne will have his sights set on reigning supreme on all fronts for both club and country.

Featured Image Credit: Alamy

Topics: Manchester City, Kevin De Bruyne, Champions League, Football World Cup