De Bruyne hails Modric after Milan-Napoli: Great to see you | OneFootball

Napoli suffered a defeat at San Siro against Milan (2-1), but the post-match news is not only about Antonio Conte's team performance. Kevin De Bruyne, in fact, wanted to pay tribute to Luka Modric with a message posted on his Instagram profile: "Everyone likes good football. It's nice to see you."

De Bruyne praises Modric after Milan-Napoli: "Everyone likes good football. It's nice to see you."

The Belgian midfielder shared a snapshot with the Croatian, who is now the lighthouse of the Rossoneri midfield. A gesture that testifies to the great mutual respect between two champions who have written indelible pages in the recent history of European football: Modric with the winning cycle at Real Madrid and the 2018 Ballon d'Or, De Bruyne with years as a protagonist at Manchester City and now a new challenge in Serie A.

De Bruyne's difficult time at Napoli

Despite the penalty goal that had temporarily reopened the match, De Bruyne's evening was not without tension. The Belgian, substituted by Conte in the second half, went straight to the bench without greeting the coach. An attitude that did not go unnoticed.

Conte himself clarified in the post-match: "I hope he was upset about the result, otherwise he got the wrong person." Words that suggest that the relationship between the two could be tested, especially at a time when the former City player is not delivering the expected performance.

Performance and tactical doubts

So far, De Bruyne has scored 3 goals with the Azzurri jersey (two on penalties), but his influence on the game remains below expectations. Conte's choice to line up Lobotka, Anguissa, De Bruyne, and McTominay often forces one of the midfielders to play out of position, particularly as a left winger. A solution that limits balance and offensive quality, generating some criticism among fans and observers.

The future challenge

Napoli remains competitive and in full race for the top of Serie A, but the De Bruyne case could become a central theme of the season. On one hand, there is the undisputed talent of the Belgian, on the other the need to find a more functional tactical setup. The Champions League and the upcoming league matches will tell if the coexistence between Conte and his top player will be harmonious or risk new frictions.

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