Kevin De Bruyne, the Belgian midfielder now playing for Napoli, has expressed his feelings about the upcoming Champions League match against his former club, Manchester City. The Serie A champions are set to face Pep Guardiola`s team in the group stage, with a highly anticipated match scheduled for September 18 in England.
Speaking to reporters before Belgium`s match against Kazakhstan, De Bruyne remarked, “I had a feeling that if I stayed in Europe, I`d end up facing City in the Champions League. It`s going to be an unusual experience. City will always hold a special place in my heart.”
De Bruyne Compares Conte and Guardiola`s Coaching Approaches
When asked about the differences between his current coach Antonio Conte and former manager Pep Guardiola, De Bruyne offered some insights: “It`s difficult to make a full comparison after only two games with Napoli. Conte`s approach is quite different from Pep`s. He focuses more on tactics and tends to favor a slower pace. The playing style differs, and the pitches in Italy are generally drier, which affects the game`s tempo.”
De Bruyne`s transfer to Napoli was one of the summer`s most notable moves. He opted to join Conte`s team on a free transfer after his contract with Manchester City expired, choosing a new challenge over potentially more lucrative offers elsewhere.