De Bruyne Targets Injury-Free Napoli Season

A Fresh Start After a Nightmare Year

Kevin De Bruyne has admitted that last season was 'difficult' as he battled back from a serious thigh injury at Napoli, but the Belgian playmaker believes his goal in the Serie A opener against Genoa can signal a fresh start. Speaking to Sky Sport Italia after the 2-0 victory, the 35-year-old expressed his hope for an injury-free campaign under new coach Max Allegri.

De Bruyne joined Napoli as a free agent from Manchester City in the summer of 2025, but his debut season quickly turned sour. A severe thigh tear required surgery and kept him sidelined for five months. "Last year was difficult, to have surgery like this and be out for five months," De Bruyne said. "I think I started well last year, but it's really hard to return in March when everyone else is in top form."

The midfielder's return was further complicated by reported frustration with former coach Antonio Conte's tactics. However, with Allegri now at the helm, De Bruyne appears rejuvenated. He came off the bench in the match against Genoa and made an immediate impact, scoring Napoli's first goal and setting up Antonio Vergara for the second.

Building Fitness and Confidence

De Bruyne's appearance against Genoa was his first competitive action since the World Cup, having only rejoined the squad two weeks prior. "I've only been here two weeks because of the World Cup, I think I'm doing well, I'm trying to help the team," he explained. The goal and assist will undoubtedly boost his confidence as he works towards full match sharpness.

The Belgian international acknowledged the challenge of returning to peak condition after such a long layoff. "It's really hard to return in March when everyone else is in top form," he reiterated, highlighting the difficulty of regaining rhythm mid-season. Now, with a full pre-season under Allegri, De Bruyne is optimistic about his prospects.

"I hope to have an injury-free season, and I hope that I can enjoy my football," De Bruyne said, encapsulating his mindset for the upcoming campaign. His performance against Genoa suggests he is on the right track, and Napoli fans will be eager to see more of the quality that made him one of the Premier League's finest.

Napoli's New Dawn Under Allegri

The victory at Genoa marked a positive start for Allegri's Napoli, with De Bruyne playing a key role off the bench. "I'm happy, it was a difficult game, especially in the beginning," De Bruyne reflected. "After 20-25 minutes the team started to control, and in the second half we were pushing good. Obviously, we scored the two goals in the end, nice to start with a victory and keep a clean sheet as well."

For Napoli, the clean sheet will be particularly pleasing, as they look to build a solid defensive foundation under their new manager. De Bruyne's fitness will be crucial to their ambitions, and his early-season cameo is an encouraging sign. As he continues to integrate into Allegri's system, the midfielder's ability to influence games from the bench or the starting XI will be a major asset.

With De Bruyne's injury woes seemingly behind him, Napoli fans can dream of a season where the Belgian maestro is at his creative best. The coming weeks will be telling as he pushes for a regular starting spot, but his early contributions suggest he is ready to put the nightmare of last year firmly in the past.