Napoli commenced their Serie A title defense with a convincing 2-0 victory over Sassuolo, showcasing the potent blend of returning talent and new acquisitions. The match saw both Scott McTominay and Kevin De Bruyne finding the net, underlining their importance to Antonio Conte's squad.
McTominay, who was named Serie A's Most Valuable Player last season, continued his impressive form, opening the scoring with a header in the 17th minute. Matteo Politano provided the assist, delivering an inch-perfect cross that McTominay expertly converted at the near post. The Scottish international's celebration in front of the travelling Napoli fans further cemented his status as a fan favorite. McTominay almost doubled his tally before halftime, hitting the bar. Speaking after the game, McTominay acknowledged De Bruyne's influence, stating, "It's an honour to have De Bruyne in the team. I'm the one who has to learn from him, not the other way around".
Kevin De Bruyne, making his Serie A debut after his move from Manchester City, also left his mark on the game. The Belgian midfielder scored Napoli's second goal with aFree kick in the 57th minute. De Bruyne became the third midfielder to score on his debut for Napoli in the three-points-per-win era. De Bruyne's arrival is seen as a major coup for Napoli, with manager Antonio Conte keen to bolster the squad for both their title defense and a strong run in the Champions League. Conte identified De Bruyne as a marquee signing, and the former Manchester City star brings a wealth of experience and trophy-winning pedigree to the team.
Sassuolo's day went from bad to worse when Ismael Kone was sent off for a second yellow card late in the game, further hampering their chances of a comeback. Napoli dominated the match from the outset, with De Bruyne registering a shot within the first 30 seconds.
Despite the positive start, Napoli faces a challenge with a long-term injury to key striker Romelu Lukaku. Lukaku suffered a thigh injury in a friendly against Olympiacos and is expected to be out for several months. His absence places greater emphasis on other attacking options, including Lorenzo Lucca and Noa Lang. The club may also look to reinforce their attack before the transfer window closes.
In other European football news, Erik ten Hag's debut as Bayer Leverkusen boss ended in a 2-1 defeat to Hoffenheim. Borussia Dortmund surrendered a two-goal lead to draw 3-3 with St Pauli. Meanwhile, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored twice as Marseille defeated Paris FC 5-2 in Ligue 1.
