In his last game at the stadium, Etihad Belga was cheered by the fans throughout the game and received applause when replaced
The Bournemouth beaten 3-1 on Tuesday (20), in a match valid for the 37th and penultimate round of the Premier League. The game marked the return of the Spanish midfielder, the current Golden Ball, after eight months away from injury, and also the captain’s farewell to the crowd at Etihad Stadium. The victory kept City in third place in the championship. With 67 points, the team led by only a draw against Fulham, away from home next Sunday (25), to secure a place in the next edition of the Champions League. The top five are classified.
Manchester City opened the scoring with Omar Mariatesh, 14 minutes into the first half. Still in the early stage, Bernardo Silva expanded at 38. In the second half, Nico González scored the third goal in the 44th minute. Already in the additions, Daniel Jebbison discounted Bournemouth on 51 minutes. The game also had two expulsions. The Croatian midfielder Mateo Kovacic received a direct red card to 22 minutes from the final stage. Shortly thereafter, Bournemouth Lewis Cook was also sent off at 28.
Rodrigo returned to the field for the first time since September 2024, when he suffered a rupture in the previous cruciate ligament of the right knee. He entered the final minutes, replacing striker Erling Haaland. The match was also marked by Kevin de Bruyne’s farewell, who is leaving the club after a decade. The Belgian was cheered by the fans throughout the game and received applause when replaced.
“It was an unbelievable journey, a pleasure,” said 33 -year -old Bruyne, in an interview with Sky Sports. “I want to play offensive football, be creative and have fun. I think we did it over these ten years.” Since arriving at City in 2015, the midfielder has participated in 421 games, scored 108 goals and won 15 titles: six from Premier League, two England Cups, five English League Cups, one Champions League and a Club World Cup.
Also on Tuesday, Crystal Palace, a newly regulated England champion after beating Manchester City himself in the final, beat Wolverhampton 4-2. The Palace occupies the 12th position, while Wolverhampton is 14th.
*With information from AFP
Posted by Felipe Cerqueira
