De Bruyne’s missed penalty deepens Napoli’s defeat

Kevin De Bruyne missed a penalty in Napoli’s 1-0 defeat against Venezia. The spot kick could have earned his team a draw, but the Belgian’s miss compounded the problems of a side already in crisis.

De Bruyne came on as a substitute, only to see his attempt saved by goalkeeper Filip Stanković. The match followed Napoli’s 3-1 defeat against Villarreal in the Champions League last week. De Bruyne had clashed with coach Massimiliano Allegri during that game.

The debate now extends beyond the missed penalty. Massimo Ugolini, a journalist with Sky Sport Italia, questioned De Bruyne’s commitment to his Napoli spell and said his situation needed to be resolved quickly, potentially in January. On the Belgian’s decision to join Napoli, he wrote: « Beyond the missed penalty, De Bruyne does not give the impression of someone who thinks he made the right decision by coming to Napoli. »

Ugolini also called for a swift clarification: « This is an issue that must be clarified quickly, even in January, with everyone taking responsibility, first and foremost the Belgian player, so a decision can be made that protects the club’s interests. It makes no sense to keep a player of his calibre when he is giving only half of his ability. » De Bruyne’s future at Napoli is now being questioned, with calls for a decision that safeguards the club’s interests.

Ugolini also pointed to wider problems at Napoli, including an almost non-existent summer transfer window, an exhausted squad, injuries, discontent among players nearing the end of their contracts and coaching decisions he described as sometimes unconvincing. On club president Aurelio De Laurentiis, he said: « The president’s silence has not yet made any noise. Perhaps it is a sign they do not want to repeat the mistakes of three years ago. » In the 2023-2024 season, Napoli changed coaches three times and finished tenth after beginning the campaign as reigning Italian champions.

Napoli host Bodo Glimt on Tuesday before welcoming Roma on Saturday. The fixtures come amid growing questions over the team’s performances and Allegri’s future.