Sports-Kevin De Bruyne forced off just 22 minutes into Premier League season with new injury blow

 

The midfielder, City's captain on the night, pulled up with a problem just after the 20th minute of the match at Turf Moor, and was quickly comforted by Erling Haaland and Bernardo Silva

Kevin De Bruyne limped off midway through the first half of Manchester City's opening match of the Premier League season at Burnley, with City boss Pep Guardiola later confirming that he expects the Belgian to be out "for a while".

The midfielder, City's captain on the night, pulled up with a problem just after the 20th minute of the match at Turf Moor, and was quickly comforted by Erling Haaland and Bernardo Silva as he crouched with his hands on his knees.

De Bruyne handed the captain's armband to Kyle Walker and was replaced by Croatian midfielder Mateo Kovacic, who came on for his City Premier League debut.

The Belgian also left the field early in City's Champions League final win over Inter Milan in June after picking up a hamstring injury, and Guardiola said that this issue was a recurrence of that problem.

"He was injured again unfortunately," said Guardiola. "Same place and position as the Champions League and he will be out for a while."

City led the match 1-0 at the time of the injury through an early goal from Haaland, who then doubled their lead before the break with a superb finish. Rodri would later add a third goal to secure a 3-0 win for the visitors.