Belgian midfielder Kevin De Bruyne has stated he is aware of “will probably be unusual” when he returns to his previous membership Manchester Metropolis to play towards them with Napoli within the Champions League.
The Serie A winners had been drawn towards Pep Guardiola’s aspect within the league section of this yr’s competitors and Antonio Conte’s aspect will journey to England on September 18 in a hotly-anticipated match.
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Talking to the press forward of his nationwide workforce’s match towards Kazakhstan tomorrow, , De Bruyne stated “Final yr, I predicted that if I stayed in Europe, I’d return to Metropolis within the Champions League. I do know will probably be unusual. Metropolis is my membership and that may by no means change.”
NAPLES, ITALY – AUGUST 30: Kevin De Bruyne of SSC Napoli in the course of the Serie A match between SSC Napoli and Cagliari Calcio at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on August 30, 2025 in Naples, Italy. (Photograph by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Pictures)
Conte ‘slower and extra tactical’ than Guardiola – De Bruyne
The Belgian was additionally as soon as once more requested in regards to the variations between his new coach Conte and Pep Guardiola, a recurring query that reveals up in lots of his interviews since he joined Napoli.
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“It’s laborious to say, I’ve solely performed two video games for Napoli,” De Bruyne stated, “Conte’s type could be very completely different from Pep. He’s way more tactical and a bit slower. The type of play is completely different however so are the pitches, that are drier. This makes it more durable to take care of the tempo.”
NAPLES, ITALY – AUGUST 30: Antonio Conte, SSC Napoli head coach, reacts in the course of the Serie A match between SSC Napoli and Cagliari Calcio at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on August 30, 2025 in Naples, Italy. (Photograph by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Pictures)
was some of the thrilling tales in the summertime, opting to hitch Conte’s aspect over different, doubtlessly extra profitable, provides. He signed on a free switch after his contract expired with Manchester Metropolis and he determined to maneuver on to a brand new problem.