Antonio Conte leaning on De Bruyne’s experience against Man City as Belgian returns back to old stomping ground.
Ahead of Napoli’s Champions League opener against English giants Manchester City, coach Antonio Conte admits that he will be leaning on new signing Kevin de Bruyne’s experience against his former side.
The Belgian returns back to his old stomping ground having spent 10 trophy-laden years with Manchester City, winning everything there was to win on club level. He joined the defending Serie A Champions on a free transfer after the end of his City contract this summer.
Napoli a work in progress, says Conte
When Napoli plays City on Thursday, it will be their first game in the 36-club system. Conte wasn’t in charge when they finished last in the tournament two years ago. Despite winning Serie A, he believes his team is still improving.
“We’re definitely playing against a team where history speaks for itself,” Conte said. “They are a top club with a top coach. We arrive with great humility having had an amazing year last year and are proud to have that.
“We consider ourselves to be almost like students coming to play against the teachers. I don’t think that’s incorrect to say. From our part, there’s definitely a desire to understand and to play against these very powerful and important clubs to see how we’re progressing.”
Conte on leaning towards KDB
Conte said: “I’ve spoken to Kevin, I’ve asked him a few things [about City], he’s been a part of this club for 10 years and had a great coach like Pep Guardiola. Kevin will be excited to be playing but I’m hoping that after the starting whistle he will find his feet and remember that he’s playing for our great Napoli and contribute like he has been doing.”
After joining Napoli from Manchester United in the summer of 2024, Scott McTominay had a key role in Napoli’s championship victory the previous season and was named Serie A player of the year. “I knew him when he played with Manchester United because I coached two times in England [with Chelsea and Tottenham],” Conte said.
“I saw great potential in this player and was [asking] why Scott McTominay is not dominant in England because he has great potential. When the possibility happened to sign him for Napoli, honestly in the first moment I didn’t believe that it could happen. It happened and now he is enjoying it.
“For a player like him, he was born in Manchester United and there is a point in your career and life where maybe you need to change and to try another experience. It happened with us and we are really really happy because we are not only talking about a fantastic player but a fantastic man.”