Napoli, Conte and De Bruyne: discontent settled, but now time to reflect… | OneFootball

The defeat against Milan raises questions about Kevin De Bruyne and the depth of the Azzurri squad. Conte evaluates and reflects on the challenges of the season.

Napoli, Conte and De Bruyne: discontent resolved, but now it’s time to reflect…

During the match against Milan at San Siro, Kevin De Bruyne showed visible emotion and dissent at the moment of his substitution. After the Champions League episode, when he was taken off after 26 minutes due to Di Lorenzo’s red card, the Belgian had masked his frustration. In Milan, however, his discontent was clear: muttering, a displeased look, and keeping his distance from the coach.

Conte responded clearly: “I hope he was upset about the result. If it’s for other reasons, he’s picked the wrong person with me.”

Polar opposite reactions: Modric vs De Bruyne

De Bruyne’s gesture stands out even more when compared to Luka Modric’s composure, who celebrated the match with the enthusiasm of a debutant but with a team spirit. The comparison highlights how the management of emotions and a collective attitude are fundamental in the locker room.

Recent history shows that even great champions can react poorly to substitutions, as has happened to De Bruyne in the past at Manchester. However, the chill perceived between the Belgian and Conte raises questions about his real contribution to the team at this stage.

Where has the best De Bruyne gone?

The Belgian, at the moment, has yet to provide the overwhelming drive that Conte hoped for. Despite his talent and international charisma, his performances so far have been steady, sometimes even hindering. The coach has adjusted the midfield to bring out his best, but his behavior on and off the pitch, especially during substitutions, risks undermining the authority of the technical staff and the balance of the locker room.

A squad not deep enough

The match against Milan also highlighted the squad’s shortcomings. Compared to last season, Napoli now has to face both the league and European competitions, and abundance in some positions does not make up for shortages in others. Conte, known for his harsh judgment on transfer dealings, finds himself with a Napoli side that doesn’t always have alternatives of equal quality to the first choices, especially in times of emergency.

The double commitment of Italy and Europe has made it clear how necessary it is to intervene in the transfer market or to manage resources more strategically in order to compete at the highest levels.

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