Massimiliano Allegri shifts Kevin De Bruyne to deeper midfield role

Napoli manager Massimiliano Allegri has revealed his efforts to transition Kevin De Bruyne into a more defensive role within the midfield. Following a 3-0 victory over Frosinone, Allegri noted that while the Belgian midfielder is dissatisfied with the change because he prefers playing closer to the attack, the new position as an interior playmaker could extend his career by at least two years.

De Bruyne performed well in the match, scoring two goals and dictating the tempo of the game. Allegri emphasized that the deeper role allows the player to manage his energy more effectively, which is crucial following his recovery from injury last season.

Additionally, Allegri defended defender Benoît Badiashile against criticism following a mistake in a previous match against Inter, stating that players should not be judged on isolated errors and that his qualities should be evaluated over the course of a full season.