Pep Guardiola believes Kevin De Bruyne is enjoying adding goals to his game, helped by Erling Haaland's addition to the Manchester City squad.
City cruised into a 3-0 half-time lead over newly-promoted Bournemouth thanks to goals from Ilkay Gundogan, Kevin De Bruyne and Phil Foden, with Erling Haaland notching his first assist for the Blues in the opener. They took their foot off the gas in the 30 degree heat after half-time, with an own goal making it four from Joao Cancelo's cross, and that was enough to send City top of the Premier League after just two games.
And Guardiola said after the game that De Bruyne surprised him with his ability to create space to score his goal on the counter, and discussed how Haaland can improve his game.
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"As a team we did a really good performance, a team that was well-structured defensively but also offensively," Guardiola said.
"They have a good pattern for the build-up to attract you and after they link perfectly with the strikers, quite similar movement like Tottenham and defensively they defend so deep and narrow. We start really well, we did three or four corners in six or seven minutes, we had chances and after we score one and two and second half when they don’t want to press we just have to be patient. We make a really good performance.
"When I was in Munich, [De Bruyne] played in Wolfsburg and I think he was the best player in the Bundesliga. Kevin was a really good player before our arrival, was good with us and will be after us. The goal he has done I was in his line and I said 'no space' and with this type of shot he scores. The assist for Phil came from him, so he did really well."
Asked whether De Bruyne can score more goals this season alongside a player like Haaland, Guardiola noted that the Belgian has added a thirst for scoring in the last year.
"I don’t know the numbers, the last season was the most prolific season in terms of goals," the manager said. "It is important for us not just Julian [Alvarez] and Erling get the goals. As much Riyad [Mahrez], Kevin, Phil, even Bernardo [Silva] can score - is really important. We have more space for our strikers, the strikers create movement for our attacking midfielders.
"Kevin, before last season, was just assist, assist and now he is the pleasure to score goals. Important he scored again."
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