‘Shocking’, ‘Didn’t expect this mentality’ – Many fans react as De Bruyne gives verdict on Man City’s need for Champions League glory

Kevin De Bruyne does not believe it is “that important” that Manchester City win the Champions League.

Since De Bruyne and Pep Guardiola arrived at City in 2015 and 2016 respectively, City have enjoyed an unparalleled period of success. The duo have played key roles in the Blues winning the Premier League and League Cup on four occasions each and the FA Cup once.

However, that domestic success has not helped them secure continental glory. City appeared in a Champions League final for the first time in 2021, but the famous trophy remains one that De Bruyne has been unable to get his hands on.

Before the World Cup City sealed their place in the last 16 of the competition for the 10th successive season, securing top spot in Group G and setting up a two-legged tie with RB Leipzig.

Guardiola’s side are once again among the favourites to win the Champions League, but despite what critics say, De Bruyne doesn’t believe success or failure in the tournament will define the club, his teammates or himself.

“I don’t think it’s that important,” De Bruyne told The Guardian when asked about the importance of lifting the trophy.

“It would be nice, but I think it’s more from the outside. It’s a stick people can beat City with. ‘Oh, you’ve done this but you haven’t done this.’ OK, but we’ve still done really good.”

These De Bruyne’s comments shared on Twitter gathered a number of replies from a wide range of Man City supporters.

“Kev doing a Pep”
Credit: @Akhi707

“Pep keeps on saying it’s not that big of a deal and now the players are saying it.”
Credit: @MCFC_JO

“KDB gets it. The CL is something every player wants to win like a league title but it doesn’t negate everything else these players have achieved.”
Credit: @UnapologeticAsh

“Shocking. Didn’t expect to hear this.”
Credit: @The_FodenEra

“Didn’t expect this mentality from him tbh”
Credit: @mcfcpepera

“Our best player doesn’t even have the mentality or drive to win the ucl. We’re never touching that trophy. Domestic merchants.”
Credit: @registarodri

“This mentality is the reason why we’ll get knocked out by Leipzig”
Credit: @haland_szn

“I expected better. Why’s he saying this? We must win it. We can’t have this good of a team and not win. The players should be motivated. Pep should take some of the blame because he says it as well”
Credit: @MCFC_JO

“People misunderstood this. He said that people only stick their nose about City when it comes to UCL. We done good, won the EPL 4 times in 5 years, win 4 consecutive Carabao, achieve 100 point in 1 season but when it comes to UCL people say City is doing bad”
Credit: @armxndomcfc

“People actually believe that this is what he, and Pep, thinks. This isn’t their actual mentality, that they’re not arsed. They say this in the media to deflect the pressure that is put onto them. Of course they want to win it, they’re just being smart with the press”
Credit: @jjhallows