Kevin De Bruyne, substituted in the 72nd minute against Napoli, visibly displayed his anger at the change and didn’t even acknowledge his manager. Antonio Conte, who remained composed on the touchline, sent a firm message after the match.
The first signs of tension between Antonio Conte and Kevin De Bruyne have emerged. The Belgian attacking midfielder, a key figure for Napoli, was visibly furious after the match against the ‘Rossoneri’. This was all sparked by his substitution with just over 18 minutes remaining at the San Siro.
With the home side down to ten men and the ‘Partenopei’ consistently pressing into the opposition’s half, the visiting manager withdrew the number ’11’, much to the player’s displeasure. As soon as the former Manchester City player saw his number on the fourth official’s board, he stormed towards the bench with a face like thunder.
The Belgian shook hands with Elmas and Neres, but Lucca was left hanging. The cameras focused on De Bruyne’s moment of frustration, as he gesticulated with his hands and pointedly refused to acknowledge his manager. The Italian coach maintained his composure and gave him a pat on the back. It’s worth recalling that the Belgian was also substituted in the Champions League game against City following Di Lorenzo’s dismissal.
The tense atmosphere continued after the defeat against Milan. Conte stoked the flames, issuing a warning to his player: “Kevin’s reaction? I hope he was angry about the result, because if it was because of the substitution, he’s picked the wrong person.”