Boban disagrees with Conte after Napoli’s 6-2 loss and makes Baggio-De Bruyne comparison

Milan legend Zvonimir Boban argues that the new Napoli signings have ‘nothing to do’ with a 6-2 loss against PSV and suggests that Kevin De Bruyne should rest: ‘Capello signed Baggio at Milan, but didn’t play him.’

Napoli suffered a surprising 6-2 away loss at PSV on Tuesday night, and Conte complained after the final whistle that the Partenopei had bought too many new players over the summer.

Boban, however, did not agree with the coach’s analysis: “The nine new players mentioned by Conte have nothing to do with this defeat,” the former Croatian star told Sky Sport via Corriere dello Sport.

“I was a player myself, and I perfectly know how important the core of the group is. Conte has kept 14 players from last season. I just don’t see this issue with the new signings. Explain it to me. Apart from De Bruyne, who among the new ones is actually playing? I’ll tell you, none of them.

“So, I don’t see this drama about the newcomers. If these lads are behaving well, where’s the problem? You talk to me about Beukema, but tonight, the one who made the mistake at the back was Buongiorno, not Beukema.”

Boban, a Sky Sport Italia pundit for Champions League games, also offered a comparison between Roberto Baggio and De Bruyne.

“Fabio [Capello, who was also in the studio] signed Baggio, who is much stronger than De Bruyne, and he didn’t play him. But he knew Baggio needed to rest, so the problem doesn’t exist.

“The truth is that Napoli’s defence is not being protected by the midfielders because the midfield is far too light, and Gilmour does not have the required physicality,” Boban continued.

“He’s got good vision, but he can’t act as a shield. That should be Anguissa’s job, but he didn’t do it. And all the others were disconnected and too far apart. On Buongiorno’s own goal, McTominay tried to make a move that wasn’t his to make, and in the long run, you pay for all these things, as it happened against PSV.”

Napoli have already lost four games this season, two in the Champions League and two in Serie A.

This coming Saturday, they host direct rivals Inter at the Stadio Maradona.

Conte extended his contract with Napoli after winning the Serie A title in 2024-25 and his current deal runs out in June 2028.