Napoli boss, Antonio Conte, has apologised to Kevin de Bruyne after he removed the Belgian in the 26 minute in their 2-0 defeat to Manchester City in the Champions League on Thursday.
De Bruyne was facing his old team, Manchester City, a club he played for 10 years and helped win multiple trophies.
The Belgian midfielder left the Etihad Stadium for Napoli at the end of last season and suffered a 2-0 defeat on his return to England.
Conte said he is ‘sorry’ for De Bruyne after the midfielder because the midfielder could not enjoy the moment of facing his former club.
Erling Haaland and Jeremy Doku scored for Manchester City as Pep Guardiola’s side recorded a comfortable win in their opening game.
However, De Bruyne was sacrificed after Napoli were reduced to 10 men in the 21st minute.
Giovanni Di Lorenzo was sent off for his foul on Haaland.
Conte withdrew De Bruyne and introduced Mathias Olivera in order to help his side cope defensively.
“It was the only thing I could do… I felt sorry for the boy, who we robbed of the satisfaction of playing against his old club.
“But I also robbed myself of the chance to count on him,” Conte told his postmatch press briefing.
UCL: ‘I’m sorry for him’ – Conte on why he removed De Bruyne in 26 minutes vs Man City
