Kevin De Bruyne has said ‘there was nothing wrong’ with the attack launched on Manchester City’s team bus by Liverpool supporters ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League tie at Anfield.
City fell to a shock 3-0 defeat – courtesy of first-half goals by Mohamed Salah, Alex-Oxlade Chamberlain and Sadio Mane – and face an up-hill struggle in their quarter-final second leg at the Etihad Stadium next Tuesday.
Before kick-off, City’s coach was bombarded with bottles, firecrackers, flares and a number of heavy objects when it became stuck in a bottleneck as it headed towards Anfield Road.
Kevin De Bruyne insisted he didn’t mind Liverpool’s attack on the Manchester City team bus
However, according to the Mirror, De Bruyne, who didn’t feature in City’s two previous European defeats by Basle and Shakhtar Donetsk, defended the home fans for their pre-game assault.
‘It was OK. I don’t mind supporters doing that,’ said the Belgian midfielder. ‘I’ve had it before for my team. I think it’s a nice feeling.
‘Breaking windows is probably not done. But who am I to say something? I’m OK with it, as long as nobody’s hurt I’m fine.’
Liverpool fans threw bottles, rocks and fireworks at the City coach before Wednesday’s clash
Liverpool have apologised for the assault on City’s bus and condemned the actions of fans
Liverpool have since apologised and condemned the actions of their fans, writing in a statement on their website: ‘We apologise unreservedly to Pep Guardiola, his players, staff and officials caught up in the incident.
‘The behaviour of a number of individuals was completely unacceptable and the club will cooperate fully with the authorities to identify those responsible.’
As for City’s season, though, it has taken a spiralling dip after their blistering start to the campaign saw them race into the Premier League lead – now just one win away from the title – and as a result were tipped for the quadruple.
With their European dreams hanging by a thread, only an inspired motivational speech by Pep Guardiola and equally inspirational effort by his players will recover their hopes when they host Jurgen Klopp’s men for the second leg.
And as their Champions League dreams began to slip away before the very eyes of De Bruyne and his teammates, he went on to insist that the attack in question, had no impact on City’s performance.
He added: ‘No (it didn’t affect the players), it doesn’t change anything. As long as you keep the violence down there’s nothing wrong with it.’
De Bruyne insisted he is ‘OK’ with the actions of the Liverpool fans as long as nobody is hurt