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Napoli have been dealt a heavy blow just before the penultimate game of the Serie A season, with Kevin De Bruyne ruled out.
The Belgian playmaker was a surprise omission from the squad for Monday night’s clash against Bologna after an accident on the training ground.
Accident on training ground leaves De Bruyne out
In what came as a surprise to the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium faithful, De Bruyne was completely absent from the squad for Napoli’s crucial Serie A match.
The veteran midfielder was not even on the bench for Monday’s clash against Bologna, prompting immediate concern over his fitness and availability for the rest of the campaign.
talking to DAZN Before the match, Antonio Conte explained the nature of the setback and revealed that a physical confrontation during training resulted in a significant facial injury.
The former Inter and Chelsea manager confirmed that medical staff had to intervene quickly to treat the Belgian international after a collision with a teammate.
Conte details medical situation
Conte provided specific details about the injury, clarifying that while De Bruyne avoided a more serious brain injury, the physical damage was enough to keep him out of the game.
The coach’s update highlighted the intensity of Napoli’s training under his direction, even as the season comes to an end.
“In training he had a head-to-head collision and opened his cheekbone. They gave him four stitches, they did tests. There is no head trauma, but he is not playing,” Conte said.
Di Lorenzo returns on time
While the loss of De Bruyne was a bitter pill to swallow for the Partenopei, Conte was at least able to regain a vital presence in the dressing room.
Giovanni Di Lorenzo returned to the starting lineup, providing a much-needed boost to the team’s defensive unit and overall leadership structure.
“Giovanni represents a bit of the Napoli of the last cycle that started a long time ago,” Conte said. “He is the only one who has won everything he won in the last period. A charismatic player and, after 15 days since he returned to training with us, it was right that he returned as a starter.”
A complicated season for the Belgian
De Bruyne has gone through a difficult season on a personal level, after spending 129 days out due to a hamstring injury last October.
The former Manchester City star has featured in 19 games in all competitions for Napoli this season, scoring five goals and providing three assists.
Napoli are second in Serie A heading into Monday’s match, but are 15 points behind leaders Inter and two ahead of AC Milan.
