Kevin De Bruyne’s eagerly awaited homecoming to the Etihad Stadium ended in disappointment on Thursday night, as the Belgian midfielder was pulled off after only 25 minutes.
The Manchester City star, who currently plays for Italian winners Napoli, made his winners League return against Pep Guardiola’s club after departing in the summer.
De Bruyne, 34, joined Antonio Conte’s Napoli after City declined to prolong his contract after a decade of remarkable success. Despite rumours of a move to Saudi Arabia, the Belgian chose Serie A in order to demonstrate his continued relevance at the top level.
His homecoming, however, was overshadowed by a dramatic scene. Napoli captain Giovanni Di Lorenzo was awarded a straight red card for a last-man tackle on Erling Haaland, forcing Conte to make a tactical change that saw De Bruyne sacrificed.
City fans gave their former star a hero’s welcome, with banners saying “King Kev” and chants of his name resounding across the stadium as he exited the ground.
Speaking earlier about his City departure, De Bruyne confessed he was stunned by the club’s decision.
“I did not receive any proposals. They just made a decision. Of course, I was stunned, but I had to accept it. “I still believe I can perform at this level.”
While his night ended earlier than intended, one thing was clear: Kevin De Bruyne is still adored in Manchester, and his competitive spirit is far from waning.
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