Nigeria, Sept. 29 -- With more drama than just the result, Napoli suffered its first league loss under Antonio Conte. Kevin De Bruyne, who scored a penalty to momentarily tie the game against AC Milan, was replaced in the 73rd minute and did not conceal his irritation.

The Belgian walked right to the bench, bypassing his coach, which set off controversy around a probable breakup.



Conte denied any hints of conflict, saying that his choice was entirely strategic. He urged that he required fresh legs to breach Milan's tight defense and insisted he hoped De Bruyne's resentment was about the result rather than the substitution alone.

Saying that modifications were done with the team's greatest interest in mind, the coach made it very cle...