'We understand each other perfectly' - Antonio Conte explains reason behind benching Kevin De Bruyne in Napoli win over Genoa

Conte surprised many when he left De Bruyne out of the starting lineup against Genoa, opting instead for a reshuffled 4-3-3 featuring David Neres. Despite the initial shock, Napoli’s response was spirited. After falling behind to teenager Jeff Ekhator’s opener in the 33rd minute, the hosts rallied in the second half. Andre-Frank Anguissa levelled the score before Rasmus Hojlund, who also netted twice against Sporting CP midweek, continued his scoring streak, sealing the win with his fourth goal of the season.

It was Conte’s men, who maintained their unbeaten home run against Genoa, but all eyes were on De Bruyne, who was introduced in the second half and instrumental in setting up the winning move. The decision came just a week after De Bruyne’s visible frustration at being substituted against Milan, when he bypassed Conte on his way to the bench.

In an interview with DAZN, Conte explained his tactical reasoning, shutting down any talk of discord.

"We have to manage our schedule between Serie A and the Champions League. Against Pisa, I rested Anguissa and Lobotka, today, after several games where Kevin was a key player, I chose to start with a 4-3-3. But he’s fully integrated, we understand each other perfectly. He’s very important for us because, when we play with four midfielders, he adds a lot of quality," Conte said.

Conte further emphasised the importance of rotation, noting that Napoli’s season will be long and demanding.

"In the second half, all the substitutes helped us, we’re on our journey, improving the new players who must become strong and contribute," he added.

With their latest win against Genoa, the reigning champions now sit on top of the table with 15 points. 

Just days after the Milan controversy, De Bruyne silenced his critics with a commanding Champions League performance, providing two assists in Napoli’s 2-1 victory over Sporting CP, becoming only the sixth player in the competition’s history to achieve that feat five times or more.

Despite being substituted in the 81st minute, De Bruyne later addressed the growing noise around his relationship with Conte, clarifying that there had never been any issue between them. His calm response and composed demeanour effectively closed the chapter on speculation that had been brewing since the Milan fixture. Conte, too, backed his midfielder publicly, describing him as one of the most professional players in the squad and stressing that his rotation policy was guided purely by tactical demands and the team’s broader objectives. The Italian manager reiterated that every decision he makes is with the team’s success in mind, not personal preference.

The victory over Genoa helped Napoli reclaim the top spot in Serie A, but Conte knows there’s still work to do. Injuries to key defenders Amir Rrahmani and Alessandro Buongiorno have left the backline thin, forcing tactical adjustments. Napoli have conceded in each of their last four league matches, an area Conte has already vowed to tighten. “Defensiveness has always been our strength; we have to get back to that,” he said earlier after the Milan game.

As Napoli prepare to face Torino on October 18, Conte’s task is twofold - maintain attacking fluidity while restoring defensive solidity.