Kevin De Bruyne was serenaded off the Etihad pitch after his substitution halfway by the primary half of the Champions League tie between his former membership Manchester Metropolis and his present employers Napoli, and confirmed no complaints at Antonio Conte’s determination to sacrifice him after Giovanni Di Lorenzo’s sending off.
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Napoli had been lowered to 10 males after 20 minutes of their first Champions League match of the season, which was towards De Bruyne’s former membership Manchester Metropolis on Thursday night.
Di Lorenzo was given his marching orders for an tried last-ditch problem on Erling Haaland, who would have been one-on-one with Vanja Milinkovic-Savic on the sting of the Napoli space had it not been for the defender’s problem.
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 18: Erling Haaland of Manchester Metropolis is fouled by Giovanni Di Lorenzo of Napoli leading to a pink card in the course of the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Part MD1 match between Manchester Metropolis and SSC Napoli at Metropolis of Manchester Stadium on September 18, 2025 in Manchester, England. (Picture by Ryan Pierse/Getty Photos)
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With Napoli down a participant, and left one brief on the again, Conte determined to reshuffle his facet with a purpose to shield the Partenopei objective.
In the long run, it was De Bruyne who was sacrificed, making method for full-back Mathias Olivera, simply 25 minutes into the Belgian’s early homecoming in Manchester.
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 18: Kevin De Bruyne of Napoli interacts with teammates on the bench after being substituted in the course of the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Part MD1 match between Manchester Metropolis and SSC Napoli at Metropolis of Manchester Stadium on September 18, 2025 in Manchester, England. (Picture by Ryan Pierse/Getty Photos)
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In response to the substitution, nearly all of the Etihad crowd rose to their ft to applaud the previous Man Metropolis star, giving him a closing rendition of ‘Ohh Kevin De Bruyne’ as he made his method off the pitch.
The Napoli veteran confirmed no complaints in the direction of Conte’s determination, instantly making his method in the direction of the bench with no seen indicators of frustration or confusion.
Watch: Conte sacrifices De Bruyne after 25 minutes of Man Metropolis vs. Napoli
Kevin De Bruyne makes method for Olivera on his return after Napoli go right down to 10 males 🔄