Antonio Conte admits ‘future is merciless’ to Kevin De Bruyne on his Manchester Metropolis return, however noticed ‘optimistic issues’ in . ‘I felt we might harm them, the pink card ruined the match.’
The plan was compelled to vary nearly instantly when Giovanni Di Lorenzo was despatched off for a mistimed sort out on Erling Haaland simply 21 minutes into the match.
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This in flip prompted Conte to sacrifice Kevin De Bruyne to introduce Mathias Olivera, reducing brief his particular comeback with out grievance.
“We have been all left with a bitter style in our mouths, as a result of it’s disappointing,”
“We had ready the match the best way we performed within the first 20 minutes, and this pink card ruined the match. I don’t need to say if it was the proper resolution or not, as I didn’t see it, however it’s already laborious sufficient to play towards Manchester Metropolis with 11 towards 11.
“I had seen a great perspective from my males and I believe Metropolis would’ve discovered it extraordinarily troublesome tonight to play towards us. After what occurred, the lads did nicely to carry on. It’s already robust, however in case you are right down to 10 males for 75-80 minutes included added time, it turns into not possible.”
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Conte felt dangerous for De Bruyne
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 18: Kevin De Bruyne of Napoli interacts with teammates on the bench after being substituted throughout the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Section 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)
Did Conte have any doubts or regrets at taking off De Bruyne simply 26 minutes into his huge comeback on the Etihad?
“Future might be merciless typically. Final season, we had only one pink card in Serie A. Right here we acquired one after 20 minutes. Taking De Bruyne off was the one factor I might’ve executed at that second.
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“I felt sorry for him, we misplaced his high quality within the match and took away his alternative to play right here towards his outdated membership in his former stadium, however it was the one selection.”
They held out for 56 minutes, till Haaland nodded within the impressed Phil Foden help, then Jeremy Doku danced by way of defenders to seal the 2-0 consequence.
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 18: Antonio Conte, Head Coach of Napoli, and Pep Guardiola, Supervisor of Manchester Metropolis, embrace previous to the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Section MD1 match between Manchester Metropolis and SSC Napoli at Metropolis of Manchester Stadium on September 18, 2025 in Manchester, England. (Picture by Dan Istitene/Getty Photos)
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Conte was seen shouting on the touchline, offended that his gamers weren’t conserving the ball for longer than very transient intervals.
“I’m very trustworthy and I acquired the sensation we had began nicely the primary 20 minutes, inflicting them issues with a excessive press. I had the feeling we might harm them,” added the coach.
“I’m sorry that these are video games that get ruined by pink playing cards, as a result of you’ll be able to by no means know the way issues would’ve gone and the way the groups measure up actually towards one another. I’ve been a participant, I do know that fatigue additionally units in after some time when you’re right down to 10, so I needed to introduce contemporary legs.”
Matteo Politano had impressed when defending towards Doku, however when he was substituted after a yellow card for a 3-5-2 formation, Manchester Metropolis broke by way of.
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“Matteo just isn’t a wing-back, and he was being compelled to play that function. He can drop down when wanted to assist out, but when he has to only keep in that place, then others are extra appropriate. We tried to carry house a consequence and altered our form to do it,” confessed Conte.
“I’m proud of the spirit of sacrifice from my gamers and I depart this match with optimistic sensations about our European progress. These are my emotions.”
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 18: Antonio Conte, Head Coach of Napoli, appears to be like on previous to the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Section MD1 match between Manchester Metropolis and SSC Napoli at Metropolis of Manchester Stadium on September 18, 2025 in Manchester, England. (Picture by Dan Istitene/Getty Photos)
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Rasmus Hojlund was more and more remoted upfront, so ought to Napoli have pressed greater to not less than attempt to rating a aim?
“These are matches the place you’re in the end compelled to defend. We conceded exactly after we tried to press excessive on a throw-in. That was a mistake. Our intention had been to press and get into these particular person duels, however when you’re right down to 10, you’ve acquired to defend and hope for a counter-attack,” replied Conte.
“We didn’t need to do this, however we needed to. After we did attempt to press them, we conceded. It was an extra of generosity. We should be extra mature, perceive the conditions, when to not press excessive in case you are 10 towards 11.
“That is why I say that I’m nonetheless proud of the mentality of those lads. We had just about by no means been right down to 10 final season, so this was the primary time we have been examined like this, and it was towards the strongest opponent. I noticed optimistic issues, the best way we got here right here with the need to play on a fair stage.
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“I used to be actually angrier after the win over Fiorentina, as we took our foot off the gasoline within the final 10 minutes. These are video games the place for those who don’t use your head and maintain on, you’ll be able to concede 5 – 6 objectives towards Manchester Metropolis and people stick with you, so we averted that.”
The pink card means Di Lorenzo may also be suspended for the following Champions League fixture towards Sporting CP, which is scheduled for the Stadio Maradona on October 1.