Napoli began their Serie A campaign with a solid 2–0 victory over Sassuolo, a result that pleased head coach Antonio Conte but also sparked questions about the integration of the club’s most high-profile summer signing: Kevin De Bruyne. Speaking to DAZN Italia after the match, Conte praised his players for their mindset and performance while offering insights into how he envisions De Bruyne’s role in his tactical system.
Conte made it clear that his focus in the opening weeks is on continuity. He relied heavily on the squad that brought Napoli success last season, choosing stability over immediate change. But with De Bruyne now in the mix, one of the world’s most accomplished midfielders, Conte knows he must find the right balance between old and new.In his post-match comments, Conte admitted he is still searching for the right formula. Napoli’s midfield trio from last season has developed chemistry and balance, and the coach wants to maintain that foundation while gradually integrating De Bruyne.
“From the very beginning of the match, we had the right approach,” Conte explained. “I still rely on the certainties that we carried over from last season, and then I will try to gradually introduce new players. I am still trying to find the right formula that will allow the three midfielders we had last season to coexist harmoniously with Kevin.” This statement underlines Conte’s pragmatism. He is not rushing to force De Bruyne into the system at the expense of balance. Instead, he wants to ensure the Belgian playmaker enhances the structure without destabilizing it.
Conte acknowledged the time constraints, saying there had not been enough preseason training to fully experiment with different setups. Even so, he was optimistic: “I see something interesting,” he noted, hinting at tactical ideas beginning to take shape.The integration of Kevin De Bruyne into Napoli’s system poses both opportunities and challenges. Known for his vision, passing range, and ability to dictate tempo, De Bruyne has thrived in teams where he is given freedom to roam and create. At Manchester City, Pep Guardiola built entire attacking patterns around his ability to deliver precise balls into dangerous areas.
In Conte’s Napoli, however, the system emphasizes balance, verticality, and structured pressing. The Italian coach admitted his side needs to move the ball faster and play more vertically, highlighting moments in the Sassuolo match where opportunities were lost due to slower buildup. “We could have been a little faster and more vertical in our play,” Conte said. “At times, we lost situations that could have developed better. But overall, I saw the right mindset.”
De Bruyne’s ability to accelerate transitions and unlock defenses could be the missing ingredient Napoli needs to make their attack more dynamic. The challenge for Conte will be deciding whether to position him centrally, as a roaming playmaker, or in a hybrid role where he supports both the midfield trio and the forwards. The Belgian’s versatility makes multiple options possible, but ensuring harmony with existing stars will be crucial. Napoli’s midfield has strong defensive and box-to-box profiles; integrating De Bruyne’s more attacking instincts will require tactical fine-tuning.
The excitement around De Bruyne’s arrival adds to the momentum of a club already on the rise. Last season, Napoli became champions of Italy under Conte’s leadership, a triumph that re-established them as a dominant force in Serie A. For supporters, adding a player of De Bruyne’s caliber is a signal of intent: the club is not satisfied with domestic success but aims to compete seriously in Europe as well. Conte, known for his demanding nature and tactical precision, has already reshaped Napoli into a disciplined yet aggressive unit.
Now, with De Bruyne at his disposal, he has the opportunity to evolve the team further. The Belgian could become the creative centerpiece in a side that already has balance, energy, and defensive solidity. The prospect of De Bruyne linking up with Napoli’s attacking players — combining his passing vision with the finishing abilities of the forwards — excites fans and analysts alike. If Conte can successfully merge his tactical structure with De Bruyne’s creativity, Napoli could develop into one of Europe’s most complete teams.
