Kevin De Bruyne faced a stern warning from Napoli boss Antonio Conte after showing frustration during their 2-1 defeat to AC Milan in Serie A. The Belgian midfielder scored a penalty but was substituted in the second half, sparking visible tension with his manager on the touchline.
De Bruyne Frustrated After Substitution
In Sunday’s Serie A clash at San Siro, De Bruyne was taken off in the 72nd minute as part of a triple substitution while Napoli pushed for an equaliser. The Manchester City legend had earlier reduced the deficit from the penalty spot after Milan were reduced to 10 men following Pervis Estupiñán’s red card.
Despite his influence, Antonio Conte opted to bring on fresh legs, leaving De Bruyne visibly irritated as he gestured toward the bench on his way off the pitch.
Conte Issues Stern Response
Following the 2-1 loss, with goals from Christian Pulisic and Alexis Saelemaekers sealing Milan’s win, Conte addressed the incident directly.
“I hope De Bruyne was upset about the result and not the substitution, because otherwise he’s got the wrong guy,” the Napoli coach warned. “I made changes to exploit one-on-one situations. I think the substitutions were the right ones.”
Napoli’s Perfect Start Ends
The defeat ended Napoli’s unbeaten start to the new league season, raising questions about squad depth and player-manager dynamics. Conte’s decision-making and fiery personality once again came under the spotlight, but his track record shows why he rarely backs down.
Football Experts Play Down the Rift
European football pundit Andy Brassell suggested the Conte–De Bruyne clash should not be overblown.
“Conte is incredibly demanding, but he’s also a proven winner with a near 70% win ratio in Serie A,” Brassell told talkSPORT. “Friction with top players like De Bruyne is inevitable, but that kind of creative tension often pushes teams forward.”
Conclusion: Napoli Face Tests Ahead
While the Conte–De Bruyne incident sparked headlines, both figures share the same ambition to keep Napoli competitive in Serie A and Europe. With tough fixtures ahead, including a title race with AC Milan and Juventus, their partnership will be tested further in the coming weeks.
About The Author
