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Napoli were dealt a major blow just before the penultimate match of the Serie A season, with Kevin De Bruyne ruled out of the action.
The Belgian playmaker was a surprise omission from the squad for Monday night’s clash with Bologna after an accident on the training ground.
Training ground accident sidelines De Bruyne
In what came as a shock to the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona faithful, De Bruyne was completely missing from the team list for Napoli’s crucial Serie A match.
The veteran midfielder didn’t even make the bench for Monday’s clash against Bologna, sparking immediate concerns over his fitness and availability for the rest of the campaign.
Talk to DAZN Before the match, Antonio Conte explained the nature of the setback, revealing that a physical confrontation during a training session led to a significant facial injury.
The former Inter and Chelsea boss confirmed that medical staff had to intervene quickly to treat the Belgium international after a collision with a teammate.
Conte details the medical situation
Conte provided specific details on the injury, clarifying that although De Bruyne avoided a more serious brain injury, the physical damage was enough to keep him out of the match.
The manager’s update highlighted the intensity of Napoli’s training sessions under his leadership, even as the season draws to a close.
“In training he had a head-on collision and he cut open his cheekbone. They gave him four stitches; he had 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 welcome a vital presence back into 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 Naples of the last cycle that started a long time ago,” Conte said. “He is the only one to have won everything that has been won in recent times. Charismatic player and, 15 days after his return to training with us, it was normal that he returned as a starter.”
A complicated season for the Belgian
De Bruyne has had a difficult season on a personal level, having spent 129 days on the bench with a hamstring injury last October.
The former Manchester City star has made 19 appearances 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 points ahead of AC Milan.
