De Bruyne: Conte more tactical than Guardiola, City is my club | OneFootball

Kevin De Bruyne spoke at a press conference on the eve of Belgium-Kazakhstan, a match valid for the World Cup qualifiers, scheduled for today at 20:45.

Napoli, De Bruyne: “Conte more tactical and slower than Guardiola. City will always be my club”

The Napoli midfielder addressed various topics, from his adaptation in Italy to his return as an opponent at the Etihad Stadium against Manchester City in the Champions League.

The return to City and the emotions of a former captain

“Last year I predicted that if I stayed in Europe, there would be a chance to face City in the Champions League. I know it will be a special match: City is my club, and that will never change.”

Napoli vs City: two philosophies compared

De Bruyne analyzed the differences between English and Italian football, focusing especially on Antonio Conte's method: “It’s hard to judge thoroughly, I’ve only played two matches with Napoli. Conte’s style is very different from Pep Guardiola’s: more tactical and slightly slower. The condition of the pitches also affects: in Italy, they are drier, which makes it more challenging to maintain a high pace.”

Lukaku and the National Team: the point on injuries and emerging talents

On his National teammate, Romelu Lukaku: “It’s a real shame he’s out, but he’ll do everything to come back. He’s recovering in Belgium, so we don’t see each other often, but we keep in touch regularly.”

De Bruyne also commented on the growth of Malick Fofana and the comparison with Jeremy Doku: “They are both fast wingers and skilled in dribbling. Jeremy has been playing at a high level for several years, even at City, while Malick is younger and still has a lot of room to grow. For our National team, having these types of players is an advantage.”

The captain's armband issue: “No voting, Garcia decided”

In the last match against Liechtenstein, won 6-0, the armband was given to Tielemans. De Bruyne clarifies: “Coach Garcia spoke with me and Lukaku at the beginning of the week and informed us of his decision. There was no voting. It’s a long-term choice, and that’s fine.”

Adapting to Napoli: “I’m doing well, fantastic environment”

The Belgian star also spoke about his new experience in Serie A: “I’m adapting well. It was a tough pre-season, but I did everything and feel in shape. There are still small details to fix off the field, but the experience is positive. In southern Italy, everyone supports Napoli: it’s a wonderful feeling. This team has great potential and can grow much more.”

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇮🇹 here.