Napoli, De Bruyne shines: more than goals, record intensity | OneFootball

Kevin De Bruyne continues to amaze, not only for his crystal clear class in the offensive phase, but also for the dark work that often escapes the spotlight.

Napoli, De Bruyne total phenomenon: not just goals and assists, but also record intensity

The most beautiful demonstration he gave with his enormous availability, with the desire to question himself, with the awareness in which he immersed himself in the new reality. He played all over the field, he started from the left half, he sided the forward in the pressure phase, he often lowered with Lobotka to play. And he closed as a center forward when Lucca came out. A total player who is destined to take a further step to the champion team of Italy, reports Corriere dello sport

In the new Napoli of Antonio Conte, the Belgian superstar is proving to be a total player: decisive with the ball at his feet, but equally valuable when it comes to running, pressing and sacrificing for the team.

Impressive numbers from the Premier League

During his long experience in the Premier League, De Bruyne has built a career as a superstar: 108 goals and 169 assists, numbers that have consecrated him as the best assist-man in Europe over the last decade. However, Sky Sport has highlighted an often underestimated aspect: intensity without the ball.

100th percentile for total meters traveled among midfielders - means that no one has done better than him.

76th percentile for high speed meters and sprinting meters - only 24% of peers have recorded better data.

90th percentile for number of sprints - among the best overall also for frequency and continuity in starts.

Data that confirm his extraordinary ability to combine technical quality and athletic expenditure.

Conte: "A leader also in the non-possession phase"

Antonio Conte, who strongly wanted the Belgian for his Napoli, has repeatedly emphasized the importance of De Bruyne's contribution in the defensive phase:

"Napoli knows how to lower itself when needed, knows how to be compact. Kevin interprets this role with intensity, recoveries and sacrifice. He is not only the champion of 108 goals and 169 assists: he is also a reference point in the non-possession phase."

A modern champion

In a football that increasingly requires complete athletes, De Bruyne represents the evolution of the modern midfielder: capable of illuminating the game and, at the same time, guaranteeing coverage, running and high-level pressing.

With these numbers, it is not surprising that the Belgian is considered one of the symbols of Conte's Napoli, capable of combining spectacle and pragmatism.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇮🇹 here.