Pundit left 'in shock' after what he has just seen Antonio Conte do in Man City vs Napoli

Sky Sports pundit Robert Earnshaw could not hide the shock he felt after what Antonio Conte did during the first half of Manchester City vs Napoli.

The two teams entered the halftime break at the Etihad Stadium with the score level at 0-0, with the big talking point being the red card received by the Italian side’s captain, Giovanni Di Lorenzo.

As a result, Man City had the better of the opportunities and should have taken the lead in the opening 45 minutes; however, Earnshaw was more concerned about a decision Conte made in Manchester.

The Sky Sports pundit was left in shock by the Napoli manager’s actions and even stated that Serie A champions were playing for a draw against Man City.

Robert Earnshaw was left in shock after Kevin De Bruyne substitution

Heading into Thursday night’s clash at the Etihad Stadium, Kevin De Bruyne’s return to Manchester was the biggest talking point around the Champions League contest, but the superstar’s night did not last long.

Conte admitted that he used De Bruyne to prepare for Napoli’s clash with Man City; however, seeking more defensive stability after Di Lorenzo’s red card, the Italian coach took the midfielder off after 26 minutes, which left Earnshaw in shock.

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“This is a big moment. They have taken off Kevin De Bruyne. I am in shock at that one. He is their best player,” the pundit said on Sky Sports News. “A slight beautiful moment is he has got banners up and he has got a full round of applause from everybody in the stadium.

“That is an odd substitution from Antonio Conte. I cannot believe that, that’s very, very odd. Talk about going for a draw.”

The former forward would not have been the only person with this reaction, as it was a sad way for De Bruyne to end his return to the Etihad Stadium.

Michael Brown disappointed that Kevin De Bruyne has come off early

In addition to Earnshaw, former Man City star Michael Brown was also disappointed by Conte’s decision to take De Bruyne off, labelling the decision a “shame”.

“What a shame for Kevin de Bruyne to be sacrificed after the red card,” Brown said on BBC Radio 5 Live Extra.

“If it was in 65 minutes, it might’ve been a different decision, but these players have to be the most dynamic and fit to get anything from this game.

“What a shame for the game. He’s graced so many nights in European football. Everybody’s been waiting for him to come back. I’m so disappointed.”

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