Man City new boy Kevin De Bruyne ready to show Monchengladbach who's boss
KEVIN DE BRUYNE has made his first trip back to Germany and aims to show Borussia Monchengladbach who's the daddy.
Posted Wednesday, September 30, 2015 by Express.co.uk
Kevin De Bruyne and Sergio Aguero share a joke in training yesterday
If joining a new club, moving to a new country and becoming Manchester City's £54m record buy is not enough to cope with, De Bruyne has announced he is to become a father for the first time in the New Year.
The former Wolfsburg midfielder insists having all of that on his young shoulders does not stress him but if City continue their Champions League struggles here tonight, his cool and calm demeanour is likely to be disturbed.
De Bruyne's form - he has scored in each of his first three starts - has been the one positive out of City's recent alarming run of three defeats in four games but he admits he would rather not score if it means City make amends for their opening Group D defeat to Juventus by winning in the Borussia Stadium.
"It (becoming a father) makes me excited," said De Bruyne, 24. "I don't know if it is reflected in the way I am playing but my family and my girlfriend are looking forward to it.
"It is not stressful - I don't stress about these things. The club is helping me a lot and I am thankful to them for helping me with the house and to find a hospital. I don't have any problems. There's no stress for me.
"I have fond memories of my 18 months in Germany, first with Bremen and then Wolfsburg.
"I was Bundesliga player of the year last season and won the German Cup and Super Cup.
"But this a game we need to win. We have started badly in the Champions League but if we win the other games it doesn't matter.
"It is nice to score goals but I prefer to win to be honest. The start I've made with City has been promising but I have to maintain this form and play better if possible."
Two weeks ago this game looked an away banker with City having won their opening five Premier League games and Monchengladbach losing their first five Bundesliga fixtures.
Kevin De Bruyne is heading back to Germany for the first time since joining Manchester City
But a fortnight is a long time in football.
City have since lost three out of four in all competitions, while the shock resignation of boss Lucien Favre - who led Monchenglabach back to the Champions League for the first time in 37 years by virtue of a third place finish last season - and the appointment of Albert Swiss coach Albert Schubert has sparked wins over Augsberg and Stuttgart.
It has improved the mood ahead of Monchengladbach's first home game in Europe's top club competition since 1978 when Bertie Vogts and Jupp Heynckes were in their pomp.
"Gladbach were doing very badly earlier this season," said De Bruyne, who scored once in his three games against Monchengladbach for Wolfsburg.
"I knew them last year and they were one of the best footballing teams in Germany and were doing really well.
"But they lost a couple of players and were struggling a little bit at the start.
"So I don't think they will attack a lot in the beginning of our game and will try to keep it 0-0."
The good news for City is that Joe Hart, David Silva and Yaya Toure were all declared fit enough to travel to Germany.
Pablo Zabaleta was also included in the squad for the first time this season after injury.
But the bad news is that skipper and defensive king pin Vincent Kompany is still out with a troublesome calf injury suffered in the home defeat to Juventus - and is unlikely to be fit for the visit of Newcastle on Saturday.
Other absentees are Wilfried Bony, Samir Nasri, Fabian Delph and Gael Clichy.
Photos
More»
Meet the 'World's hottest swimmer'
Tuesday November 12 2024
Hot singer with flat above Premier League ground
Tuesday November 12 2024
Inside iconic abandoned stadium that hosted England matches
Tuesday November 12 2024
Your Say