Napoli manager Antonio Conte spoke about his team’s defeat to Manchester City in the opening round of the 2025-26 Champions League, and addressed the early substitution of midfielder Kevin De Bruyne that followed the sending-off of defender Giovanni Di Lorenzo.
Antonio Conte, quoted by journalist Gianluca Di Marzio
I prepared the plan that worked for the first 20 minutes, but the red card changed everything. The substitution of De Bruyne because of Di Lorenzo’s sending-off? Sometimes fate trips you up. I felt sorry for sending him off because I deprived him of the pleasure of playing against his former club.
The match was played on Thursday, September 18, at Manchester’s Etihad Stadium and finished 2-0 to the hosts.
Kevin De Bruyne joined Napoli from Manchester City in the summer. The 33-year-old Belgian spent ten seasons with City, winning 16 trophies.
Next up, Napoli host Sporting and Manchester City visit Monaco. Both matches are scheduled for October 1.
