Napoli midfielder Kevin De Bruyne was named Man of the Match after inspiring a 4-0 victory over Cremonese on Friday night, contributing both a goal and an assist in the Belgian’s standout performance since returning from injury.
The match, played at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona in Naples, saw De Bruyne open the scoring just three minutes after kickoff. A quick passing move released Scott McTominay, who drove a low shot into the far corner from outside the box past goalkeeper Emil Audero.
De Bruyne, wearing the number 11 shirt for Napoli, was credited with the assist for the opening goal. The Belgian international later added to his contribution by scoring Napoli’s second goal himself, confirming his influence on the game.
Speaking to DAZN after the match, as reported by TuttoMercatoWeb, De Bruyne expressed his satisfaction at returning to peak form. “I hope to play at this level again,” the 34-year-old midfielder said, reflecting on his performance after a lengthy injury layoff.
The victory marked a significant moment for De Bruyne, who had been sidelined for 128 days following a high-grade hamstring tear sustained during a clash against Inter Milan on October 25, 2025. After undergoing successful surgery in Antwerp and rehabilitating in Belgium, his return to first-team training was confirmed in early March 2026.
De Bruyne’s limited appearances this season – just 11 games across all competitions prior to this match – had already yielded four goals and two assists, establishing him as a key figure in Napoli’s attacking transitions under head coach Antonio Conte.
Scott McTominay, who scored the opening goal, similarly spoke after the match about his preferred position. “My position is up there in midfield, I’m happy to have had so many scoring chances,” the Scotland international stated, noting he had taken seven shot attempts during the game, including a saved penalty.
The 4-0 win represents Napoli’s most convincing performance in recent Serie A action, with the team demonstrating strong attacking cohesion. Cremonese goalkeeper Emil Audero faced a busy evening, making several saves including stopping McTominay’s penalty effort.
For De Bruyne, the performance serves as evidence of his continued quality at the highest level despite entering the latter stages of his career. The Belgian, who previously enjoyed a decorated tenure at Manchester City where he made 285 appearances and scored 72 goals, has now registered 14 appearances and four goals for Napoli since joining the club on a free transfer last summer.
The result lifts Napoli in the Serie A standings and provides a boost to Conte’s tactical options as the team looks to maintain its position among Italy’s elite clubs. With European qualification spots still contested, performances like this could prove crucial in the final weeks of the season.
Looking ahead, Napoli will aim to build on this momentum as they prepare for their next Serie A fixture. The team’s ability to integrate returning stars like De Bruyne while maintaining defensive solidity will be key to their ambitions for the remainder of the 2025-26 campaign.
As the Serie A season enters its decisive phase, Napoli’s victory over Cremonese sends a clear message about their title credentials. For Kevin De Bruyne, it marks a personal milestone in his journey back to full fitness and form at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.
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