Allegri hails ‘exceptional’ De Bruyne after Napoli win

Massimiliano Allegri praised Kevin De Bruyne’s decisive contribution as Napoli beat Genoa 2-0 in Serie A, with the Belgium international scoring one goal and creating the other.

De Bruyne came on as a second-half substitute alongside Antonio Vergara and Noa Lang, and the introduction of the three players helped transform Napoli’s performance and secure the result.

“The first match is always different,” Allegri told Sky Sport. “I have only known the team for six weeks, and I do not always know who can make a difference when they come on as a substitute.”

Genoa had started strongly, while Napoli struggled to build from the back during the opening stages.

“Genoa played a very good match in the first 25 or 30 minutes,” said Allegri. “We made many mistakes when building play from the back, but as the match went on, we gained greater control.”

The Napoli manager stressed that the squad would need to be fully prepared when competing in the Champions League, where substitutes can have a major influence on matches.

“We need everyone to be ready when we play in the Champions League,” he said. “Substitutions are decisive at this level, whether we are winning or losing.”

Asked whether De Bruyne could play in the same midfield as Scott McTominay, Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa and Stanislav Lobotka, Allegri responded humorously.

“All you have to do is take out a winger, and we will find a place for them,” he said.

Allegri then singled out De Bruyne for particular praise, describing the 34-year-old as a rare type of player.

“I am happy because Kevin De Bruyne is an exceptional person,” he said. “He does things that are completely different from the usual players. There are very few like him.”

De Bruyne’s determination to score Napoli’s opening goal was also highlighted by Allegri, who said the midfielder possessed an ability to recognise opportunities that many footballers could not see.

“The determination he showed in scoring the goal, and the way he sees things, are things that not many players can see,” Allegri added.

De Bruyne’s involvement came after Napoli had been made to work hard by Genoa during the opening half-hour. Allegri acknowledged that his side’s early errors had allowed the visitors to perform well before Napoli gradually imposed themselves on the game.

The victory was ultimately shaped by the second-half changes, with De Bruyne, Vergara and Lang helping Napoli alter the match and claim a 2-0 win.

Allegri was also asked about Genoa’s objection to Napoli’s first goal. The manager said he had not been in a position to judge the incident clearly from the touchline.

“My vision has never been very good, so I did not see it clearly from the touchline,” he said.