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Napoli have suffered a major blow just ahead of the penultimate match of the Serie A season, with Kevin De Bruyne sidelined.
The Belgian playmaker was a surprise omission from the squad for Monday night’s clash against Bologna after an accident on the training pitch.
The accident on the training ground has De Bruyne on the sidelines
In what came as a shock to the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona faithful, De Bruyne was completely absent from the squad for Napoli’s crucial Serie A clash.
The veteran midfielder didn’t even make the bench for Monday’s clash against Bologna, sparking immediate concerns over his fitness and availability for the rest of the campaign.
speaks to DAZN ahead of the match, Antonio Conte explained the nature of the setback, revealing that a physical confrontation during a training session resulted in a significant facial injury.
The former Inter and Chelsea boss confirmed that medical staff had to intervene quickly to treat the Belgium international following a clash with a team-mate.
Conte describes the medical situation
Conte gave specific details about the injury, clarifying that while De Bruyne avoided a more serious brain injury, the physical damage was enough to keep him out of the game.
The manager’s update highlighted the intensity of Napoli’s training sessions under his watch, even as the season draws to a close.
“During training he had a head-to-head collision and he opened his cheekbone. They gave him four stitches; he had tests. There is no head trauma, but he is not playing,” Conte said.
Di Lorenzo returns in time
While the loss of De Bruyne was a bitter pill to swallow for the Partenopei, at least Conte was able to welcome back an important dressing room.
Giovanni Di Lorenzo returned to the starting line-up and provided a much-needed boost to the defensive unit and the team’s overall management structure.
“Giovanni represents a bit of Napoli in the last cycle that started a long time ago,” Conte said. “He is the only one who has won everything that has been won in the last term. Charismatic player and after 15 days since he returned to training with us, it was right that he returned as a starter.”
A complicated season for the Belgian
De Bruyne has endured a difficult season on a personal level, having spent 129 days on the sidelines with a hamstring injury last October.
The former Manchester City star has featured in 19 games in all competitions for Napoli this season, scoring five goals and providing three assists.
Napoli are second in Serie A heading into Monday’s game, but lead Inter by 15 points and are two ahead of AC Milan.
