Antonio Conte seen reacting on the sidelines during Napoli's loss to AC Milan, capturing the tension in the Serie A clash. Getty Images via Sportskeeda.
Credit: Getty Images via Sportskeeda
Napoli coach Antonio Conte publicly warned Kevin De Bruyne after the midfielder’s visible frustration over being substituted during their 2-1 defeat to AC Milan, telling him “he picked the wrong person to be upset with.”
Antonio Conte Issues Public Warning to Kevin De Bruyne After Substitution Reaction
Antonio Conte delivered a stern public warning to Kevin De Bruyne following the midfielder’s visible displeasure at being substituted during Napoli’s 2-1 defeat to AC Milan on Sunday, September 28, 2025. The Napoli coach made his position clear during the post-match press conference, stating: “I hope his frustration was about the result. If it was about the substitution, then he picked the wrong person to be upset with.”
The incident unfolded in the 72nd minute when Conte replaced De Bruyne with Eljif Elmas, despite the Belgian having scored a penalty just twelve minutes earlier to reduce Milan’s lead after they were reduced to ten men following Pervis Estupinan’s red card. De Bruyne’s reaction was unmistakable as he walked off the field without acknowledging his manager, refusing to shake Conte’s hand in a gesture that highlighted the growing tension between player and coach.
Conte defended his tactical decision with conviction, explaining that the substitution was strategically motivated to bring “fresh legs for one-on-one situations because Milan were closing down a lot.” The Italian manager showed no signs of backing down from his choice, maintaining that introducing Elmas was the correct response to counter Milan’s pressing game despite having a numerical advantage and momentum to push for an equaliser.
The confrontation marks Napoli’s first league defeat of the season, with Milan having taken a commanding lead through goals from Saelemaekers and Pulisic before De Bruyne’s penalty offered hope of a comeback. Conte’s immediate post-match response demonstrated his determination to assert managerial authority over high-profile players, emphasising that tactical decisions remain his prerogative regardless of individual performances or reputations.
The sources provide no indication of formal disciplinary measures against De Bruyne for his reaction, with Conte’s public warning appearing to serve as both a rebuke and a statement of authority. How this player-coach relationship develops remains unclear, as neither De Bruyne nor Napoli officials beyond Conte have issued statements regarding the incident or its potential impact on future team dynamics and selection decisions.
