The first round between the two teams illustrated the absurd opposition of style between the twirling "Citizens" and the robust "Colchoneros", with almost 90 minutes of attack-defense.

If the short success of the Sky Blues (1-0) will not allow the Spaniards to camp in their last 30 meters, we should not hope for an open door operation of the "Rojiblancos".

At the Etihad, the deliverance came from a superb call from De Bruyne, ideally served by Phil Foden who had drawn four defenders on him.

The Belgian attacking midfielder concluded with a surgical strike into Jan Oblak's side net, 20 minutes from time.

Manchester City midfielder Kevin De Bruyne opens the scoring against Slovenian Atlético Madrid goalkeeper Jan Oblak in the Champions League quarter-final first leg on April 5, 2022 at the Etihad Stadium Oli SCARFF AFP/ Archives

It is the symbol of the found form of "KDB", sparkling for a few weeks, whether it is aligned in the middle or in false N.9.

Sunday, again, in the duel at the top in the league against Liverpool (2-2), it was he who opened the scoring after 5 minutes of play, with a deflected shot and returning post, but full of the aggressiveness that lives the divine red when it is at 100%.

praise of selfishness

He could have registered two assists if the VAR had not canceled a goal from Raheem Sterling and if Riyad Mahrez had not missed the match point in added time (90 + 3), but his sixth goal in six matches already places him on a very high footing this season.

Author of 11 goals in the Premier League and 15 in all competitions, he is very close to his records over a season which are 13 and 16.

The joy of Manchester City's Belgian midfielder Kevin De Bruyne, after his goal scored against Leeds, during the 17th day of the Premier League, December 14, 2021 at the Etihad Stadium Paul ELLIS AFP / Archives

With the seven league matches, at least one of C1 and the semi-final of the FA Cup, again against Liverpool on Saturday, he could experience his most prolific season, spurred on by Pep Guardiola who wants him more "selfish".

"What he prefers is assists because it makes him happy and it makes his teammates happy, but I told him + You have to score more to reach a higher level + and now he scores lots of goals", welcomed the Catalan after the match against the Reds.

Manchester City's Spanish coach Pep Guardiola speaks to Belgian midfielder Kevin De Bruyne before the FA Cup quarter-final at Newcastle on June 28, 2020 OWEN HUMPHREYS POOL/AFP/Archives

"His vision for the last pass was exceptional in this match," also admitted Guardiola, not to mention his activity in the laundry, with six balls recovered.

His best years?

The season had however started badly for "KDB".

Victim of a double fracture in the face during the lost Champions League final against Chelsea (1-0), he then returned injured from the Euros after playing undercover during the elimination in the quarter-finals (2 -1) against Italy, aggravating an ankle injury.

Italian midfielder Marco Verratti comforts his Belgian counterpart Kevin De Bruyne after Squadra Azzurra won 2-1 in the Euro quarter-finals on July 2, 2021 at the Allianz Arena in Munich Christof STACHE POOL/ AFP/Archives

Guardiola had only started him once in the first six games of the season but his current level is such that he seems the only one who can deprive Mohamed Salah of the Players' Association player of the year award professionals (PFA), for which the Egyptian has been the arch-favorite for months.

Already rewarded in 2020 and 2021, the Belgian would become the first player to make the pass of three, which would prove the special place he occupies in City history.

This will obviously depend on the outcome of the title race in England and the course of Manchester City in a C1 which continues to refuse the Mancunian club.

But, at almost 31 years old, and while he still has three years of contract with City, De Bruyne seems far from declining.

"I don't know if these are my best years," he told Metro a few days ago.

"There's a misconception that at 31 your best years are behind you. I feel good, I'm playing well, so let's hope I can keep going for as long as possible," he said.

© 2022 AFP