Story perspectives

Conte Defends Tactical Substitutions After Napoli's Setback

9/30/2025

Summary

Story summary

Antonio Conte, Napoli manager, warned Kevin De Bruyne that substitutions are tactical, not personal, after a 2-1 loss to AC Milan.
De Bruyne was substituted in the 72nd minute after scoring a penalty to trim Milan’s lead.
Napoli’s defeat ends their Serie A start and marks De Bruyne’s fourth substitution in six matches since joining Napoli, ahead of Sporting Lisbon.

History

Historical Context

The Italian national football team's tactical decisions have faced scrutiny since the 1990 FIFA World Cup, where they finished third under coach Azeglio Vicini. This ongoing debate over coaching strategies, particularly regarding player substitutions, reflects a broader tradition in Serie A. Recent comments by Antonio Conte to Kevin De Bruyne highlight the significance of tactical management in shaping team performance and player morale in Italian football.

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Story summary

Antonio Conte, Napoli manager, warned Kevin De Bruyne that substitutions are tactical, not personal, after a 2-1 loss to AC Milan.
De Bruyne was substituted in the 72nd minute after scoring a penalty to trim Milan’s lead.
Napoli’s defeat ends their Serie A start and marks De Bruyne’s fourth substitution in six matches since joining Napoli, ahead of Sporting Lisbon.

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