Napoli suffered their first defeat of the 2025-26 Serie A season in opposition to AC Milan, led by a standout efficiency from Christian Pulisic. However a lot of the postgame consideration shifted to the dugout, the place head coach Antonio Conte despatched a warning to Kevin De Bruyne after the Belgian star confirmed frustration at being substituted.
De Bruyne arrived from Manchester Metropolis as Napoli’s marquee signing and has been central to Conte’s plans, serving to the group open the season with 4 straight league wins. However in opposition to Milan, he made headlines for the unsuitable causes, regardless of discovering the scoresheet.
After an help and a aim from Pulisic put Milan in management, De Bruyne reduce the deficit from the penalty spot within the sixtieth minute to deliver Napoli again into the match. His night time, nevertheless, ended within the 72nd minute when he was changed by Eljif Elmas.
Visibly pissed off, De Bruyne made his approach off the pitch with a dry handshake for Conte earlier than sitting down on the bench, exhibiting his displeasure. Napoli couldn’t discover an equalizer, and the loss ended their excellent begin within the Serie A, falling to the second place on the desk.
Kevin De Bruyne of Napoli scores a penalty aim through the Serie A match between AC Milan and SSC Napoli at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on September 28, 2025 in Milan, Italy.
Conte’s resolution to substitute De Bruyne has turn out to be a recurring theme. Since becoming a member of the membership, the midfielder has accomplished the complete 90 minutes in simply two of his six appearances, regardless of beginning each recreation. Probably the most notable instance got here within the Champions League opener at Manchester Metropolis, when Conte withdrew him within the twenty sixth minute following Giovanni Di Lorenzo’s early crimson card, reducing quick his extremely anticipated Etihad return.
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Conte addresses De Bruyne’s response
The midfielder’s frustration on Sunday appeared tied to his frequent substitutions, in addition to the timing, leaving the pitch in a vital second with Napoli chasing the sport in opposition to 10-man Milan. His seen anger drew consideration from the media, and Conte didn’t draw back from responding.
“I hope De Bruyne was upset in regards to the substitution due to the end result; in any other case, he picked the unsuitable individual,” Conte mentioned in his post-match press convention, making it clear he wouldn’t tolerate the midfielder directing frustration towards him.
The coach stood by his selections, insisting the substitutions have been the appropriate calls. “I attempted to herald recent gamers for one-on-one conditions, since Milan was sitting deep. I changed (Rasmus) Højlund with (Lorenzo) Lucca. There’s not a lot to say—I believe the substitutions have been right,” Conte mentioned, waiting for Napoli’s upcoming Champions League conflict with Sporting Lisbon.
