De Bruyne forces Napoli to change style: three-man defence not enough
In the buzzing stadium in Brussels, Kevin De Bruyne raised his arms at the end of the second goal against Turkey, while Belgian fans erupted in a chorus of joy. His performance reignited the debate about the role he could have at Napoli.
The midfielder scored a brace that allowed him to reach 200 career goals, a rare milestone for a playmaker. This feat prompted journalist Giovanni Scot to reflect on the differences between the national team's style and that proposed by Massimiliano Allegri at Napoli.
Scotto analyses the national style
Giovanni Scot noted that the Belgian national team plays at a more offensive tempo than Allegri's Napoli, which often resorts to more cautious setups. For Scot, the problem is not the three‑man defence, but the team's attitude to impose itself on the pitch.
The journalist from Il Roma commented that the words spoken by De Bruyne after the match represent an important signal for Napoli. According to him, the Belgian delivered a clear message about the need for more spectacular football.
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De Bruyne's words and Hojlund's criticisms
Scotto quoted De Bruyne: “De Bruyne yesterday, not only with his goals but also with his words, definitively opened, in my view, the subject. Napoli does not play offensively, does not play well, does not play the football that allows De Bruyne to express himself and have fun.” The Belgian added: “This style of play suits me better,” and stated that he is “better than last year from a physical point of view.”
The young Danish striker Hojlund, who scores for Denmark, argued that Allegri must change the playing style at Napoli, otherwise there will be no bright future. He reiterated that the three‑man defence is a “blessed argument” but meaningless if the team does not adopt a more proactive attitude. Scot agreed, stating that the issue is primarily the attitude, not the formation.
For Scot, the answer must already come against Frosinone: “De Bruyne today can make the difference and cannot be the anonymous, grey player we saw at the Franchi.” The coach hopes the midfielder will demonstrate his worth on the pitch, contributing to a more incisive Napoli.