'Very odd' - Sky Sports pundit 'in shock' over what happened to Kevin De Bruyne in Man City vs Napoli
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Credit: Imago
Harri Burton
Thu 18 September 2025 20:48, UK
Kevin De Bruyne experienced an extremely disappointing return to the Etihad Stadium as Man City faced Napoli in the Champions League.
De Bruyne left for Napoli following a decade with the Citizens during the summer, having not been offered a contract extension, and supporters were excited to welcome him back this season.
Man City were fresh off beating rivals Man United 3-0, with goals coming from Phil Foden and Erling Haaland, which was desperately needed after back-to-back Premier League defeats.
Very few fans were willing to predict what would happen in a clash between Pep Guardiola and Antonio Conte, but Robert Earnshaw could not quite believe what he was watching on Thursday, 18 September.
Giovanni Di Lorenzo was handed an early red card, having scythed down Haaland just outside the penalty area, and nobody expected the following decision from Conte just five minutes later.
De Bruyne made way after just 26 minutes, and given that he is one of the brightest sparks for Napoli, boasting two goals in his first four games, Earnshaw said: “I’m in shock from that,” live on Sky Sports News (18 September, 8:27pm).
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“He’s their best player, and he knows it.
It’s a slightly beautiful moment because the banners are up, and he got a full round of applause from everyone in the stadium.
“But that’s a very odd substitution from Antonio Conte.