Kevin De Bruyne's tactical role at Napoli under Allegri

Kevin De Bruyne is becoming a central tactical figure for Napoli as manager Massimiliano Allegri experiments with his positioning. Following a performance against Bodo/Glimt, De Bruyne has been utilized in a deeper playmaker role within a 4-3-3 formation. This setup may involve a midfield diamond alongside Lobotka, which aims to provide De Bruyne with more space and vision while creating opportunities for Scott McTominay.

Former Inter Milan coach and current analyst Andrea Stramaccioni addressed concerns regarding the 35-year-old Belgian's physical capacity to handle Napoli's dense match schedule. Stramaccioni argued that there is a misunderstanding regarding De Bruyne's fitness, stating the player possesses the 'motor' required to play frequently. While noting that De Bruyne's intensity might decrease as a match progresses, Stramaccioni emphasized that his selection remains a tactical decision rather than a physical necessity.