Champions League win would ‘change narrative’ around City, says De Bruyne

Manchester City’s Belgian midfielder Kevin De Bruyne reacts as he speaks during a press conference at the Manchester City training ground, in Manchester, north west England, on May 3, 2022, on the eve of their UEFA Champions League semi-final second leg football match against Real Madrid. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP)

Kevin De Bruyne says winning the Champions League would “change the narrative” around Manchester City as they prepare for the second leg of their semi-final against Real Madrid.

Pep Guardiola’s go into Wednesday’s match in Spain with a 4-3 lead after a thrilling first leg, seeking to reach the final for the second consecutive season.

City have been the dominant force in English football over the past decade but have never been crowned European champions despite the transformation of the club under their wealthy Abu Dhabi owners.

Belgium international De Bruyne said winning the trophy would “change the perspective from outside” Premier League leaders City, who lost last year’s final to Chelsea.

“As a player, you want to win the trophies and you want this one,” he said at the pre-match press conference on Tuesday.

“I think the fact that we’ve been fighting for it for numerous years and been to the latter stages means we’ve been doing really well.”

The 30-year-old added: “Obviously, it’s a cup competition and the quality is very high so it’s very, very difficult to win it and there are different circumstances that happen.

“But if you look back at the way we have performed, or I have performed with the team for seven years, we’ve done really well. But obviously we haven’t won it and I think winning it would change that little narrative.”

Guardiola said his side would probably have to improve on their first-leg