Manna backs De Bruyne to play anywhere as Napoli seek league momentum

Kevin De Bruyne has no fixed position in Giovanni Manna’s plans: if the midfielder is fit, Napoli’s sporting director says, he can play anywhere. The public backing also serves as a response to reports of friction with Massimiliano Allegri after Napoli’s Champions League defeat at Villarreal.

Speaking to DAZN before the Venezia match, Manna called the discussion around the pair “bar-room talk” and said such matters “always get sorted”. He described De Bruyne as “a champion” who should be supported and helped, adding that he was available and would contribute if needed.

The numbers give the support some context. De Bruyne has scored twice in two Serie A appearances this season, with no assists. Manna acknowledged that Napoli had “struggled a bit”, but said the midfielder had helped the team win matches. His message was not about protecting De Bruyne from competition for a role; it was that Napoli should make use of him wherever he can contribute when fit.

Napoli’s immediate concern, Manna stressed, was turning recent results into a stronger position in the table. They had beaten Bologna, drawn with Fiorentina and beaten Frosinone in their previous three league matches. “We need to win and get points to move the table,” he said, calling the result against Venezia fundamental. Manna also noted that Venezia had changed coach and said he felt for Giovanni Stroppa, whom he called a good manager. Tuesday’s match, he added, was a separate competition and not the focus before Venezia.

Manna also put the spotlight on Lorenzo Lucca. He said the striker had looked good in training and had usually made a positive impact as a substitute, but that some poor decisions had not been forgiven. Lucca, he said, must understand the responsibility of wearing Napoli’s shirt. Manna added that the club had faith in him and urged him not to feel the pressure, while making clear that the performance depended on the player.

That leaves Napoli with two different messages: De Bruyne is trusted to find a role if fit, while Lucca is being asked to turn his opportunities into a performance that meets the demands of the shirt. For both, the wider test is helping Napoli convert a three-match unbeaten league run into sustained progress up the table.