Kevin De Bruyne’s return to Manchester City came to an abrupt end on Thursday evening after some red card controversy saw him leave the pitch after 25 minutes
Kevin De Bruyne has suffered a nightmare return to Manchester City after some red card controversy in the opening 25 minutes of City’s Champions League clash with Napoli.
King Kev, as he’s known in the blue half of Manchester, left Pep Guardiola’s side over the summer for Napoli. However, a couple of month’s later he was back in a starting side at the Etihad.
De Bruyne’s return to the Etihad would come to a pre-mature end, however, when he was hooked by new boss Antonio Conte after Giovanni di Lorenzo was handed his marching orders.
Erling Haaland was bearing down on the Napoli goal when Di Lorenzo attempted to make a last-ditch challenge – but he would miss the ball and make contact with Haaland’s leg.
The tackle was initially missed by Felix Zwayer, but he would soon stop the game as VAR got involved. And after heading over to the monitor, Zwayer was left with no choice but to send him off.
As a result of the red card, Conte was forced to rethink his tactical plans – hooking De Bruyne for Mathías Olivera.
Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, Michael Brown said: “What a shame for Kevin de Bruyne to be sacrificed after the red card.
“If it was in 65 minutes it might’ve been a different decision but these players have to be the most dynamic and fit to get anything from this game.
“What a shame for the game. He’s graced so many nights in European football. Everybody’s been waiting for him to come back. I’m so disappointed.”
And fans agreed: “FFS Conte haven’t seen KDB ball in a while and you’ve subbed him off…”
“This was surely not what he hoped for,” a second admitted. And another added: “Conte you have an enemy in me for eternity…”
De Bruyne received a standing ovation from the City fans as he left the pitch.
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