Kevin de Bruyne flipped out at Pep Guardiola during Manchester City’s win over Real Madrid on Wednesday night, with the midfielder seen gesturing furiously towards his manager after being robbed of possession.
City dismantled Madrid in the second leg of their Champions League semi-final showdown, putting four past the reigning European champions at the Etihad Stadium to book their place in next month’s final.
A superb first-half double from Bernardo Silva put the hosts in full control, before Eder Militao’s own goal and a late Julian Alvarez strike sealed the rout and secured a second final appearance in three years.
Before they got over the line, however, tempers flared between De Bruyne and Guardiola as the pair were seen rowing early on in the second half.
Guardiola was left seething when the Belgian drove forward with the ball just inside Madrid’s half and, after failing to spot a potential pass to Jack Grealish on the left-hand side, was robbed of possession by Militao.
Kevin de Bruyne lost his cool with Pep Guardiola during Man City’s win over Real Madrid
The City midfielder could be seen gesturing furiously towards Guardiola in the second half
غضب ديبروين على المدرب غوارديولا 🚨😦
–#مانشستر_سيتي_ريال_مدريد #دوري_ابطال_اوروبا pic.twitter.com/wJIyMNGCFx— KHALID ALOLYAN 🇸🇦🐪 (@OLYAN15K) May 17, 2023
Yet instead of accepting the criticism that came his way, De Bruyne lost his cool and reacted furiously towards his manager, throwing his arms up in anger before continuing with the game.
After they exchanged what seemed very loud, hostile words Guardiola walked back to the City bench while staring down at the floor.
As the half went on, any fears of another spectacular late Madrid comeback in the semi-finals was lifted when Militao turned the ball into his own net with 14 minutes remaining.
With the victory in the bag, Guardiola then chose to replace De Bruyne with Phil Foden in the 84th minute of the game, and as he left the field the two put their heated exchange behind them to enjoy a celebratory hug.
Alvarez then added City’s fourth of the night in stoppage time to cap one of the greatest performances in their history.
Though while the English champions were outstanding in blitzing Carlo Ancelotti’s men, and can now look forward to a final showdown with Inter Milan in Istanbul, Guardiola was still unimpressed by certain parts of their game and explained his fallout with De Bruyne.
‘At 2-0 we rushed a lot,’ he told Spanish broadcaster Movistar.
‘Right after the break [Ilkay] Gundogan lost a ball, Kevin made three transitions that weren’t necessary and we rushed a lot when we had to do the opposite, sink them and turn them, sink them and turn them.
Guardiola brought De Bruyne off in the 84th minute with victory already in the bag
The pair put their brief dispute behind them as they enjoyed a celebratory hug on the touchline
Bernardo Silva scored twice as City stormed into their second Champions League final
‘But it’s normal. It gets close, you rush, and it has cost us more, although in general we have had an extraordinary game.’
Nevertheless, after their traumatising collapse in the dying stages of last season’s semi-final second leg, Guardiola was delighted with the character his side showed to bounce back this time around.
‘I had the feeling these last days that we had a mix of calm and the intention to play these type of games,’ Guardiola said.
‘All the pain we had last year was there today. It was really tough the way we lost. We had to swallow the poison and say, “I want it”.
‘It was there, the energy from one year. This team is so humble. I’m so proud. They take every competition so seriously. I hate arrogance in sort, when you believe you are something that you are not. Today they got their reward. Life always gives you a second opportunity.’
