Manchester City have left both Kevin De Bruyne and Kyle Walker out of the travelling party for tomorrow evening’s Champions League group game against Olympiakos.
The pair were pictured in training this morning and it is believed they have both been rested by manager Pep Guardiola. Supporters on Twitter have backed the decision to keep the two players at home:
Smart move pep!
— Legion (@ImLegi) November 24, 2020
Rested and rightfully so.
— Bernardo’s Brew (@_TrueInBlue) November 24, 2020
They are exhausted ????Well done, Pep
— a to z (@MANCITYTOPFANS) November 24, 2020
We already through give them the rest they deserve
— Ali Saain (@ali_saain) November 24, 2020
Both should probably get a rest this weekend too imo. Kev looks absolutely shot & a 2 week rest is needed.
— FPL_Ryan (@LordAtrexia) November 24, 2020
Good, rest them completely
— ???? ??? (@Spencer200003) November 24, 2020
Good. They need rest
— Mohad (@mohamedamiin2) November 24, 2020
Good to be honest they need afew days off
— Mark N (@mark_n0) November 24, 2020
I was about to say good they need a rest but everyone already said it
— Bakir ?? (@Ojose_1) November 24, 2020
The intensity of the match schedule means it is inevitable that players will need to be rested at times. De Bruyne, in particular, looks to be quite jaded at the moment and the Belgian international could certainly do with some time off.
With City six points ahead of third in their Champions League group, after getting maximum points from their first three fixtures, it does seem like the right time to be making changes. They are facing an Olympiakos side who lost 3-0 to the Citizens in the reverse fixture at the Etihad earlier this month.