‘The game was ruined because of this red card’published at 22:36 BST 18 September
FT: Man City 2-0 Napoli
Napoli
Napoli manager Antonio Conte, speaking to TNT Sports, said: “It’s difficult to play against Manchester City 11 v 11 and after 20 minutes it is impossible with 10 men. Defensively we were really good but with their two goals we can do much better, but I don’t have anything to tell my players – the commitment, the attitude was good.
“If it had continued 11 v 11 you could see another game in my opinion. We’re talking about Manchester City, a fantastic team and we have to recover and prepare to play the next game. I come back to Italy with the mentality of the team and I like the way they suffered together but we can’t concede two goals.
“We need to think about the next game in the league and I think we can do well in the Champions League.”
On the red card, he said: “Honestly I did not see the situation. When you have a red card after 20 minutes you are dressing the game in one way. The game was ruined because of this red card. I don’t know if it was right. The referee got the decision and we have to accept it.”
On the decision to substitute Kevin de Bruyne following that red card: “It was the only option I could do. I was really, really sorry for him as it’s the game against his old team but Kevin understood very well. I had only this decision, this option.”
