Naples is confronting a period of internal instability following a 4-1 defeat against FC Porto in the UEFA Champions League this Wednesday. During the final minutes of the match at the Estádio do Dragão, a verbal altercation occurred between Kevin De Bruyne and teammate Lorenzo Lucca, an incident captured by broadcast cameras and widely circulated on social media, Foot Mercato reported.
The disagreement began in the 82nd minute following a missed scoring opportunity where the Belgian was countered at the edge of the box, leading him to express frustration with Lucca’s positioning. According to reports from the Italian press, including La Gazzetta dello Sport, the 35-year-old Belgian midfielder confronted Lucca regarding his movement on the pitch. The 26-year-old Italian forward responded by questioning the criticism, reportedly telling De Bruyne, “Why are you talking?” before repeating the phrase “Fuck off” several times. Lucca also reportedly added, “Casse toi,” which translates to “get lost.”
Tension at Napoli is skyrocketing as Lorenzo Lucca openly confronted Kevin De Bruyne during last night's loss against Porto: 'Why are you speaking? F*** off!' pic.twitter.com/w8ewRD3fLU
Fabrizio Romano, speaking on his YouTube channel, stated that the relationship between the two players had shown signs of strain prior to this match, noting that “similar incidents have already occurred in the past.” Romano added that the club has already decided to intervene and operate changes during the winter transfer window, noting that such tensions will have consequences on the team’s strategy and could lead to difficult decisions, including the departure of certain players.
Napoli struggles in Champions League table
The defeat leaves Napoli in a difficult position within the Champions League table, currently occupying 27th place after four matches. With three points from four encounters, the Partenopei are in a precarious position. The Italian side has recorded one win—a 4-3 result against Bodø/Glimt—and three losses. In Serie A, the club sits in 8th place with 14 points, trailing league leaders Lazio by 14 units, according to data from Circus Daily.
Individual performance evaluations for De Bruyne have been mixed. The Corriere Azzurro was slightly more generous, awarding him a 6/10, noting that while “he delights with his quality of play,” his inspirations often remain without consequence as teammates fail to exploit his initiatives. While analysts noted his role in finding space and providing a key center for Scott McTominay’s goal, La Repubblica characterized the performance as “without brilliance,” citing a lack of speed in his transmissions. During the match, De Bruyne also had a goal disallowed for offside.
Allegri faces growing pressure before matches
This incident adds to the pressure surrounding manager Massimiliano Allegri, who has faced criticism regarding the team’s tactical direction and player management. La Gazzetta dello Sport described the situation as an “umpteenth episode” for a club in full crisis.
Naples is scheduled to face the Lazio and Torino in Serie A before a return to England to play Manchester City in the Champions League. The match at the Etihad Stadium holds particular significance for De Bruyne, who joined the Italian club in the summer of 2025 following a ten-year tenure at Manchester City. The team remains in need of points to maintain its prospects for the European competition.
Frequently asked questions about the incident
What triggered the dispute between De Bruyne and Lucca?
The altercation began in the 82nd minute after a missed scoring chance. According to Circus Daily, De Bruyne expressed frustration with Lucca’s positioning and movement, leading to a heated verbal exchange between the two teammates.
Have there been previous issues involving the coaching staff?
Yes, reports from La Gazzetta dello Sport indicate that Kevin De Bruyne was involved in a separate disagreement with manager Massimiliano Allegri regarding his tactical positioning on the field several weeks prior to the match in Porto.
What is the next scheduled match for Napoli?
Naples is set to host Lazio in Serie A this Sunday at 12:30 local time.
Lorenzo Lucca'dan Kevin De Bruyne'ye: "Neden konuşuyorsun? Defol git." pic.twitter.com/hLJ6CctLgd
Related reading
