Overview

• De Bruyne left the pitch visibly angry during Sunday’s loss to AC Milan, appearing to ignore Antonio Conte after being substituted in the 72nd minute.
• Conte publicly backed his decision, saying he wanted fresher one‑on‑one options and adding he hoped De Bruyne was upset about the result rather than the change.
• Since joining in the summer, the 34‑year‑old has three goals for Napoli—two from penalties—and has completed 90 minutes only twice while being taken off in four of his first six games.
• Ex–general manager Pierpaolo Marino said De Bruyne is now a problem for Conte and is treading on Scott McTominay’s toes, contributing to a less effective midfield.
• De Bruyne arrived on a free transfer after leaving Manchester City and is under contract until 2026, with debate intensifying over how he fits into Conte’s setup.