Not long after the World Cup ended, Pep Guardiola expressed some concerns about Kevin De Bruyne's physical condition. He appeared unhappy and disappointed, suggesting indirectly that his star midfielder was not in the best shape.

It was an extraordinarily impactful motivational statement. The current streak of victories has seen the Belgian display exceptional skills. De Bruyne's recent performance can be compared to a revived wave that is not getting the attention it deserves due to Haaland's impressive numbers, which are directly related to De Bruyne's position on the field.

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De Bruyne elevated his stature at the Bernabéu and with a remarkable moment, he appeared to shift the focus of the ongoing game.

The city was also in need of it. When Ilkay Gündogan passed the ball back to De Bruyne after 67 minutes, the Bernabéu had already started to exude its well-known and self-sustaining arrogance. Manchester City had been attempting to catch up for most of the game and had entered half-time with a score of 1-0 against them. They appeared to be getting trapped in the same situation oncemore.

The team of Guardiola had firmly controlled Madrid during the initial stages of the game. Madrid accepted their penalty and maintained their defense. Despite the city's composed and meticulous work in the midfield, their efforts ultimately yielded no results. It was as if an intellectual concept was pitted against a heartfelt sentiment - structured tactics, neat structures, synchronized sequences, and plotted stages - in contrast to a spirited and uncompromising approach.

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At the midpoint of the game, Guardiola, dressed in a trim and appropriate funeral director's suit, became more animated and agitated, making emphatic gestures and movements as he saw signs, omens, apparitions, and possible catastrophes.

Naturally, Madrid managed to score. Eduardo Camavinga successfully advanced the ball from the left-back position and passed it to Vinícius Júnior. Without hesitating, Júnior swiftly let the ball roll past him before shooting with incredible force and accuracy, resulting in a goal that even goalkeeper Ederson had no chance of stopping despite seeing the ball and striking leg clearly. The arrival of half-time felt like a magnificent surge of energy among the spectators in the vicinity of the home stands. Once more, the City found themselves being pulled into that position.

At the start of the game, Madrid was a beautiful and warm place, with a gentle summer atmosphere and a serene sky that transitioned from a light blue to a darker shade of grey. This picturesque scene was framed by massive steel structures. The Bernabéu stadium can be compared to Frankenstein's creation, as it appears to be only partially constructed with loose bandages fluttering in the wind and glimpses of polished steel substructure visible in certain areas.

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Internally, it exudes a remarkable mixture of splendor and utilitarianism, akin to spectating a soccer match within a high-security penitentiary or a colossal cargo container spanning across the globe. The customary religious melodies, ceremonious pieces, the fluttering white scarves, the feeling of honoring oneself, magnificent, and extravagance were present. There is no other location in sports that executes quite like this. The situation can be deemed as ridiculous yet curiously cheerful.

Guardiola selected his top-performing squad, emphasizing a team configuration that prioritizes regulation. Throughout the Champions League season, Jack Grealish and Bernardo Silva have only managed to score one goal collectively. The fact that they were present served to further isolate Haaland, making him stand out as the primary source of danger. Haaland's age is 22. It was his inaugural match at this location. Despite putting in a lot of effort, he didn't experience much happiness.

As the night progressed for City, Gündogan skillfully executed some maneuvers and deceptive moves to create an opening for his next move, which appeared to be premeditated. Gündogan strategically directed the ball towards the area in front of De Bruyne, considering factors such as the trajectory of the run, the available space, and the distance to the goal.

In situations like these, there is a certain mentality of interconnected thinking where ideas are exchanged rapidly like a sudden delivery. De Bruyne made a quick approach towards the ball and delivered a powerful shot using the outer part of his foot, resembling the sound of a gun firing. The ball followed a consistent trajectory, moving swiftly and closely alongside the ground, eventually surpassing Thibaut Courtois's devoted attempt to block the goal and finding its way to the corner.

At that particular moment, there appeared to be a slight shift or release of weight. De Bruyne was already performing exceptionally well in the game. Shots, crosses and dribbles were all present in the game. The influence of Haaland has been remarkable. However, this player remains City's most impressive, dominant, and captivating creator.

De Bruyne seems to be reaching the later stages of his prime as a footballer. By summertime, he will turn 32. This is not your typical slender and nimble athletic champion. During his days off, De Bruyne appears as a well-built geography educator who indulges in hiking outdoors and savors genuine beer.

When he is at his peak, he possesses a unique blend of forceful strength and nimbleness comparable to that of a skilled point artist. He is regarded as the team's designated free radical and is the most Madrid-style player on City's roster.

The Etihad is anticipated to slightly favor the city team. De Bruyne's exceptional play, coupled with the use of Madrid-ball in Madrid, seemed like the perfect combination to impact theoutcome.

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