De Bruyne and Lucca clash in Napoli defeat
Kevin De Bruyne and Lorenzo Lucca clashed during Napoli's 4-1 Champions League loss to Porto, according to multiple reports.
Tensions at Napoli have boiled over after a heated exchange between Kevin De Bruyne and Lorenzo Lucca during the team's 4-1 Champions League defeat to Porto, according to multiple reports.
The incident
RMC Sport reports that De Bruyne was sharply rebuked by a teammate during the match, with the outlet's headline quoting "Fuck off." German outlet t-online also noted that the Napoli star was insulted by a teammate, describing the incident as a "wüst beschimpft" (vicious insult).
Foot Mercato identified the teammate as Lorenzo Lucca, reporting a "grosse altercation" (major altercation) between the two players. Dutch outlet Voetbalzone also named Lucca, highlighting his past as an Ajax player and quoting him saying "Rot op!" (Piss off!). Voetbalkrant similarly reported a "serious clash" between the pair, noting that frustration ran high during the defeat.
The context of the loss
The confrontation came amid a difficult period for Napoli. The 4-1 defeat at Porto in the Champions League has intensified scrutiny on the team's cohesion. Blick noted that nerves are frayed at the club, with disputes occurring both on the pitch and in public afterward.
The Daily Mail painted a broader picture of discord within the squad, describing a "dressing room meltdown" and a "divided" team lurching toward "disaster," with an "every man for himself" culture reportedly taking hold. The outlet quoted a teammate asking De Bruyne, "Why are you speaking? F*** off!" although it did not name the teammate.
No official comment yet
As of now, neither Napoli nor the players involved have issued an official statement regarding the incident, according to the available reports. The club's next steps on the pitch remain to be seen as they look to rebound from the Porto loss.
