Kevin De Bruyne, Henrikh Mkhitaryan forced off with hamstring injuries after ‘dramatic’ penalty incident - 'Unbelievable'

Kevin De Bruyne was forced off with a serious-looking hamstring injury sustained in the process of putting Napoli in front during their Serie A encounter with Inter Milan at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona. The Belgian froze motionless after converting his spot-kick, immediately feeling the back of his right leg as Antonio Conte expressed concern on the touchline as Napoli sought a statement win.

There was an extraordinary turn of events in Saturday night’s Serie A heavyweight clash between Napoli and Inter Milan, as Kevin De Bruyne appeared to injure his hamstring moments after scoring from the penalty spot to put his side in front.

Napoli hosted Inter at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, live on TNT Sports and discovery+, and after a cagey opening half hour, the match burst into life when the hosts were awarded a penalty following a VAR review.

Referee Maurizio Mariani pointed to the spot after Henrikh Mkhitaryan brought down Giovanni Di Lorenzo inside the area. In the process, Mkhitaryan suffered a hamstring injury of his own and was forced off, with Piotr Zielinski coming on as his replacement. The substitution, combined with the lengthy VAR check, left De Bruyne waiting several minutes before he could take the kick.

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When play finally resumed, the Belgian midfielder calmly converted from 12 yards to beat Inter goalkeeper Yann Sommer. But as he turned away, De Bruyne immediately pulled up in visible discomfort and stood motionless before signalling to the bench. He was substituted moments later, clearly unable to continue.

The 33rd-minute goal was De Bruyne’s fourth of the season - and his third from the penalty spot - but the sight of the 34-year-old limping off will be a major concern for head coach Antonio Conte.

De Bruyne has a long history of hamstring problems. In Return of the King - Manchester City’s in-house documentary released in February 2024 - he revealed that a surgeon had described his hamstring as being "like a wet paper towel" before he underwent surgery in the summer of 2023.

Highlights: De Bruyne and McTominay on target as Napoli beat Inter

Video credit: TNT Sports

Did penalty delay contribute to De Bruyne injury?

TNT Sports co-commentator Adam Virgo said of the penalty decision: "Maybe the referee’s looked at the push in behind first. It’s Mkhitaryan who’s clumsily got contact on him, and you’re going to go down. Outside the box, I’m thinking maybe, but it’s a big call."

On De Bruyne’s injury, Virgo added: "It’s unbelievable. He had a long time to take that, which might have contributed to it. It’s a worrying sign - he looks in real discomfort. You’d have thought they’d bring a stretcher to avoid making the tear worse."

For Conte, De Bruyne’s setback appeared to compound a difficult week. Napoli were thrashed 6-2 by PSV in the UEFA Champions League just days after a 1-0 Serie A defeat to Torino, results that drew sharp criticism of the team's mentality and cohesion.

De Bruyne is consoled by his Napoli team-mates

Image credit: Getty Images

In the aftermath of that defeat in the Netherlands, Conte urged his players to take a "bath of humility" and admitted that integrating nine new signings - including former Manchester United forward Rasmus Hojlund - had unsettled the squad.

"Last year we won an extraordinary championship where everyone pushed their limits with great unity," Conte said.

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"This season, with so many games and so many new players, it’s been more difficult. I always said this year would be challenging. We have to humble ourselves. Some people in Naples are blowing smoke - but Napoli and the Neapolitans shouldn’t be taken for a ride."

Conte remained typically animated on the touchline during the first half but showed little celebration even as De Bruyne’s penalty put his side ahead against his former club - perhaps already aware that the night’s breakthrough had come at a heavy price.

De Bruyne was later spotted with crutches on the touchline and heavy strapping to the troubled hamstring, and he was in place to watch Scott McTominay double Napoli’s lead in sublime fashion, allowing the ball to run across his body before drilling a precise low shot into the bottom corner. Commentator Matt Smith hailed the strike, declaring: "He is fast becoming Mr Napoli."

Watch: ‘Mr Napoli’ McTominay delivers again with WONDERFUL strike

Video credit: TNT Sports

Co-commentator Virgo was equally impressed.

"He’s delivered again at the highest level," he said. "The midfield run is absolutely brilliant, and the finish - to let the ball bounce like that - is pure technique.

"Any young player watching, that’s how you strike a football. It’s about control, not power. He’d been quite quiet, but that’s a moment of real class."

Napoli’s two-goal cushion, however, did not last long. Just minutes later, VAR intervened again - this time ruling that Alessandro Buongiorno had handled inside the area. Hakan Calhanoglu made no mistake from the spot, halving the deficit with half an hour still to play.

Any concerns of a dramatic Inter comeback were eased as Frank Anguissa's fine solo goal re-established Napoli's position of authority.

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