Kevin De Bruyne holds personal belief over reasons behind ‘sickness and vomiting’ prior to 3-3 draw with Real Madrid | OneFootball

Manchester City midfielder Kevin De Bruyne reportedly holds a belief over why he was struck down with ‘sickness and vomiting’ prior to the club’s clash with Real Madrid.

The Belgium international was widely expected to be named in Pep Guardiola’s starting line-up for the UEFA Champions League quarter-final first-leg tie against Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu on Tuesday night.

However, following a late illness, City’s Catalan coach was forced to replace De Bruyne with Mateo Kovacic in the centre of the club’s midfield, for a game that would go on to prove to be a classic in the latest instalment of the two clubs’ European rivalry.

With a 3-3 draw secured ahead of next week’s return leg at the Etihad Stadium, new information has now emerged that details the believed reasons behind Kevin De Bruyne’s withdrawal from duties in the Spanish capital.

According to the information of the Daily Star’s Jeremy Cross, Kevin De Bruyne believes it was ‘something he ate’ in Manchester City’s team hotel ‘a few hours ahead of kick off’ that led to his bout of ‘sickness and vomiting’ in the Santiago Bernabeu dressing room.

It is further claimed that Manchester City were ‘worried’ that the Belgian midfielder would not be the only member of Pep Guardiola’s squad to be struck down through illness, but thankfully the issue was isolated to just De Bruyne.

Kevin De Bruyne has since returned to Manchester City training ahead of the club’s Premier League meeting with Luton Town on Saturday afternoon, and could put himself back into contention for next week’s quarter-final second-leg clash with Real Madrid.

Whether or not Pep Guardiola and his coaching staff choose to utilise De Bruyne in the Premier League this weekend remains to be seen, especially ahead of a week that will also see Manchester City embark on an FA Cup semi-final meeting with Chelsea at Wembley Stadium.

Kyle Walker and Nathan Ake remain fitness concerns for the Premier League champions ahead of the coming matches, while a further update could be provided on the fitness of Phil Foden following his knock in the closing moments of the Real Madrid meeting.