BRUSSELS: Belgium midfielder Kevin De Bruyne said yesterday returning to Manchester City this month with his new club Napoli would be an awkward experience.
De Bruyne, 34, left City at the end of last season after his contract was not renewed and joined Napoli, who will travel to the Etihad Stadium for their Champions League group opener on September 18.
“I’ve only played two Serie A games so far. It’s different under coach (Antonio) Conte compared to the years with Pep Guardiola,” De Bruyne told reporters ahead of the World Cup Group J qualifier against Kazakhstan in Brussels.
“My first impression was that football in Italy is more tactical and the game moves a little slower. But it’s still football.
“I played in a different system at Manchester City,” he said, answering more questions about his club career than World Cup matches.
“We’re playing City in Manchester with Napoli soon. It’s going to be awkward. City is my club and that’s not going to change,” De Bruyne said.