Kevin De Bruyne can’t remember most of Man City’s Champions League final loss due to facial injury

Kevin De Bruyne revealed he has no memory of Manchester City’s Champions League final defeat after Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger fractured his nose and eye socket.

De Bruyne left the pitch in tears following the collision and was rushed straight to hospital, still in his strip when waking up the next morning.

That night kicked off a frustrating summer of injuries for the 30-year-old, who returned from the European Championship with damaged ankle ligaments and is only now rediscovering full fitness.

Kevin de Bruyne admits his facial injury means he does not remember Manchester City's Champions League final defeat to Chelsea

Kevin de Bruyne admits his facial injury means he does not remember Manchester City's Champions League final defeat to Chelsea

Kevin de Bruyne admits his facial injury means he does not remember Manchester City’s Champions League final defeat to Chelsea

De Bruyne (right) fractured his nose and eye socket in a clash with Chelsea's Antonio Rudiger

De Bruyne (right) fractured his nose and eye socket in a clash with Chelsea's Antonio Rudiger

De Bruyne (right) fractured his nose and eye socket in a clash with Chelsea’s Antonio Rudiger

‘I don’t remember a lot, I don’t remember how I got into the hospital on the night itself,’ De Bruyne said. ‘There are not a lot of memories after the incident. Is that dark? Maybe. I got back in the morning to the team hotel at 10am still with my City kit on!

‘The last six months has been up and down, playing but not really training. I was in quite some pain with my ankle so it was good that we took the time off. I feel much better and feel myself getting stronger.’

Pep Guardiola believes his talisman is approaching somewhere close to his best as City face Club Brugge on Tuesday night.

De Bruyne is now back to full fitness after his facial and ankle injuries earlier this year

De Bruyne is now back to full fitness after his facial and ankle injuries earlier this year

De Bruyne is now back to full fitness after his facial and ankle injuries earlier this year

‘He’s had tough injuries,’ Guardiola said. ‘Every game is better than the one before, regardless of goals or assists. It’s the rhythm, the pace.

‘Kevin is not like others: he needs to be fit to be at his best. It’s about how he attacks spaces. He’s getting better and that is a good sign for us.’

De Bruyne, meanwhile, sympathises with Raheem Sterling after the England international voiced concern over a lack of starts for City.

De Bruyne (right) understands Raheem Sterling's (left) frustration about a lack of game time

De Bruyne (right) understands Raheem Sterling's (left) frustration about a lack of game time

De Bruyne (right) understands Raheem Sterling’s (left) frustration about a lack of game time 

‘Rotation is important because playing four competitions it’s a tough ask sometimes,’ De Bruyne added. ‘But I understand the frustration. 

‘You have some players who need more rhythm to get into it and maybe Raz is someone who needs more. I’m a player that needs that also.

‘Obviously it’s the manager who has to make choices and it’s very hard. We have a group of 22-23 internationals who are unbelievable. It can be frustrating but I think we try to help each other.’

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