Video: No complaints from De Bruyne after first-half substitution vs. Man City | OneFootball

Kevin De Bruyne was serenaded off the Etihad pitch after his substitution midway through the first half of the Champions League tie between his former club Manchester City and his current employers Napoli, and showed no complaints at Antonio Conte’s decision to sacrifice him after Giovanni Di Lorenzo’s sending off.

You can follow the action from Man City vs. Napoli as it unfolds on the Football Italia Liveblog.

Napoli were reduced to 10 men after 20 minutes of their first Champions League match of the season, which was against De Bruyne’s former club Manchester City on Thursday evening.

Di Lorenzo was given his marching orders for an attempted last-ditch challenge on Erling Haaland, who would have been one-on-one with Vanja Milinkovic-Savic on the edge of the Napoli area had it not been for the defender’s challenge.

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 18: Erling Haaland of Manchester City is fouled by Giovanni Di Lorenzo of Napoli resulting in a red card during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD1 match between Manchester City and SSC Napoli at City of Manchester Stadium on September 18, 2025 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

With Napoli down a player, and left one short at the back, Conte decided to reshuffle his side in order to protect the Partenopei goal.

In the end, it was De Bruyne who was sacrificed, making way for full-back Mathias Olivera, just 25 minutes into the Belgian’s early homecoming in Manchester.

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 18: Kevin De Bruyne of Napoli interacts with teammates on the bench after being substituted during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD1 match between Manchester City and SSC Napoli at City of Manchester Stadium on September 18, 2025 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

In response to the substitution, the majority of the Etihad crowd rose to their feet to applaud the former Man City star, giving him a final rendition of ‘Ohh Kevin De Bruyne’ as he made his way off the pitch.

The Napoli veteran showed no complaints towards Conte’s decision, immediately making his way towards the bench with no visible signs of frustration or confusion.

Watch: Conte sacrifices De Bruyne after 25 minutes of Man City vs. Napoli