The relationship between coach Massimiliano Allegri and Belgian midfielder Kevin DeBruyne is in a tense phase, after the episode that occurred in the Champions League match against Villarreal. The coach renewed his tactical requests to the player, asking him to move closer to the striker and to follow the bench's instructions more carefully. In view of the next match against Venezia, DeBruyne may not be included in the starting eleven, leaving the bench for the match.
Allegri clearly expressed his dissatisfaction with DeBruyne's posture during the match against Villarreal, underlining the need for greater commitment in the transition phase and greater attention to tactical directives. The coach stated that the possible exclusion is not a direct punishment for the incident on the pitch, but rather a sign of clear expectations regarding the player's behavior and performance. According to Allegri, DeBruyne must demonstrate that he is ready to respect his instructions to help restore the balance of the team, which has gone through a difficult period in recent matches.
Napoli, which is in a recovery phase, sees the match against Venezia as a crucial opportunity to re-establish internal cohesion and to test the players' ability to adapt to the coach's directives. DeBruyne, one of the protagonists of the midfield, has been the center of attention for his decisive role in the club's performances. The absence or limited participation of the Belgian could influence the game dynamics and the team's offensive strategy.
Allegri made it clear that the final decision will depend on DeBruyne's behavior in the next training sessions and his willingness to follow tactical instructions. If the player were to demonstrate that he understood the manager's requests, his inclusion in the eleven could be reinstated. On the contrary, a failure to respond could lead to a longer stay off the pitch, with consequences that will be reflected in the composition of the team in subsequent matches.
Napoli is therefore preparing for an important match against Venezia, where the result will be decisive not only for the standings, but also for the stability of the relationship between Allegri and DeBruyne. The team will try to use the match to consolidate its position in Serie A and to demonstrate that it is ready to overcome recent difficulties. The next meeting will therefore be a key moment to evaluate the future direction of the club and the Belgian midfielder's reaction to his manager's requests.