Napoli confirms De Bruyne has suffered a hamstring injury, ruling him out for an extended period.
De Bruyne left the field in the 37th minute of Napoli's 3-1 win over Inter on October 25th, clutching his right thigh after scoring a penalty; his recovery time is unclear, with Italian media comparing it to Lukaku's case, which is estimated to be around four months.
Napoli have confirmed that Kevin de Bruyne has suffered a serious hamstring injury and will be out for an extended period. The Belgian midfielder left the field in the 37th minute, just minutes after scoring the opening penalty in Napoli's 3-1 victory over Inter Milan on October 25th. His recovery time has not yet been announced.
Key moment: The opening goal and signs of injury
After successfully converting a penalty to give Napoli a 1-0 lead, De Bruyne clutched his right thigh while his teammates celebrated. On the sidelines, coach Antonio Conte looked visibly worried. The 33-year-old midfielder broke down in tears and had to leave the field in the 37th minute, making way for a teammate.
Initial diagnosis and history of trauma
The club has stated that De Bruyne suffered a serious hamstring injury and will be sidelined for an extended period. The recovery timeline is yet to be determined, but according to Italian media, the situation is being compared to Romelu Lukaku's injury in August (which kept him out for approximately four months). De Bruyne has a history of muscle injuries, having experienced a similar problem at Manchester City and being out for three months.
Napoli still beat Inter 3-1, moving to the top of Serie A.
Despite losing their playmaker early in the match, Napoli maintained control of the game and ultimately won 3-1 against Inter. This result propelled Conte's team to the top of Serie A with 18 points, level with AS Roma but ahead on goal difference.
A tactical dilemma for Antonio Conte
De Bruyne is a key link in the midfield organization and a crucial set-piece option. His absence forces Conte to redistribute roles in midfield, from orchestration and decisive passes to set-piece situations.
In that context, Napoli's midfield goalscoring prowess has historically been marked by Scott McTominay. However, the team's form has been inconsistent: they suffered a heavy 2-6 defeat against PSV in the Netherlands, despite McTominay's early opening goal; and recently lost 0-1 away to Torino without both Rasmus Hojlund and McTominay, thus losing their top spot before reclaiming it after the match against Inter.
Statistics and milestones
- De Bruyne scored the opening goal from the penalty spot, giving Napoli a 1-0 lead against Inter Milan.
- The Belgian midfielder left the field in the 37th minute due to a right thigh muscle injury.
- Napoli won the match 3-1, moving to the top of Serie A with 18 points, level with AS Roma but ahead on goal difference.
- The club has not yet announced De Bruyne's return date; Italian media are comparing it to Lukaku's injury (approximately 4 months).
- De Bruyne suffered a similar muscle injury at Man City, which sidelined him for about three months.
Reactions and effects
Right on the pitch, Conte clearly showed his concern as he watched his player clutching his right thigh. De Bruyne broke down in tears as he left the field, highlighting the severity of the injury. In the short term, Napoli needs an alternative for playmaking and penalty taking; in the long term, this is a test of squad depth as the Serie A race is only just entering its early stages.
Quick information board
| Category | Detail |
|---|---|
| Match | Napoli 3-1 Inter Milan (October 25) |
| Highlights | De Bruyne scored the penalty but left the field in the 37th minute due to a thigh muscle injury. |
| Status | Long-term leave, recovery time is uncertain. |
| Rankings | Napoli lead Serie A with 18 points (tied with AS Roma, but with a better goal difference). |
