Defending Serie A champions Napoli commenced their new season in style, securing a comfortable 2-0 victory over newly-promoted Sassuolo. The goals came courtesy of Scott McTominay and a memorable debut strike from Kevin De Bruyne, ensuring a perfect start to their title defense.
Napoli`s starting XI for the season opener featured new signings Kevin De Bruyne and Lorenzo Lucca. However, the team was without Romelu Lukaku, who is expected to be sidelined for three to four months due to injury. Sassuolo faced their own challenges, with Edoardo Iannoni suspended and Ruan Tressoldi, Laurs Skjellerup, and Kristian Thorstvedt all unavailable due to injuries.
De Bruyne wasted no time making his presence felt, firing a volley over the bar within 25 seconds of kick-off. Shortly after, he also set up Amir Rrahmani, whose shot went wide following a corner kick.
The first goal of the 2025-26 Serie A season was scored by Scott McTominay in the 17th minute. He expertly found space, meeting Matteo Politano`s cross with a glancing header from eight yards out, sending the ball into the near top corner.
Sassuolo`s Josh Doig tested Napoli goalkeeper Alex Meret with a strong shot after a run down the left flank. Just before halftime, McTominay came close to adding a second goal, but his right-footed curler from the edge of the box struck the crossbar.
After the break, Domenico Berardi, fresh off signing a new contract, nearly equalized for Sassuolo with a powerful strike that skimmed the far post.
Napoli continued to press, hitting the woodwork for a second time in the 55th minute when Matteo Politano`s deflected effort, assisted by McTominay, rebounded off the post. Lucca was unable to convert the follow-up.
Kevin De Bruyne then marked his Serie A debut with an impactful goal in the 57th minute. His free-kick from the touchline sailed past both Lucca and McTominay, bouncing off the ground and nestling into the far bottom corner, albeit somewhat fortuitously.
Sassuolo`s Tarek Muharemovic later tested a hesitant Alex Meret from a distance. The hosts` efforts were further hampered when Ismael Koné received a second yellow card for a clumsy sliding tackle on Lucca in the 79th minute, leaving Sassuolo with ten men for the remainder of the match.
Match Result
Sassuolo 0 – 2 Napoli
Scorers: McTominay 17` (N), De Bruyne 57` (N)
Sent off: Koné 79` (S)
Match Information
- Date: 23-08-2025 17:30
- Venue: Mapei Stadium – Città del Tricolore
- MatchDay: 1
Player Statistics Timeline
- 17` Goal Scott McTominay (Assist: Matteo Politano)
- 46` Yellow Card Lorenzo Lucca
- 56` Yellow Card Domenico Berardi
- 57` Goal Kevin De Bruyne
- 67` Yellow Card Ismaël Koné
- 79` Second Yellow Card / Red Card Ismaël Koné
Match Statistics
| Statistic | Sassuolo | Napoli |
|---|---|---|
| Possession % | 38 | 62 |
| Total shots | 7 | 13 |
| Shots on target | 2 | 4 |
| Shots off target | 4 | 4 |
| Blocked shots | 1 | 5 |
| Corners | 1 | 2 |
| Fouls | 17 | 17 |
Starting Lineups
Sassuolo
- Stefano Turati (Goalkeeper)
- Josh Doig (Defender) (sub 81`)
- Filippo Romagna (Defender)
- Sebastian Walukiewicz (Defender)
- Tarik Muharemovic (Defender)
- Daniel Boloca (Midfielder)
- Ismaël Koné (Midfielder)
- Luca Lipani (Midfielder) (sub 73`)
- Andrea Pinamonti (Attacker) (sub 90`)
- Armand Lauriente (Attacker) (sub 81`)
- Domenico Berardi (Attacker) (sub 90`)
Napoli
- Alex Meret (Goalkeeper)
- Amir Rrahmani (Defender)
- Giovanni Di Lorenzo (Defender)
- Juan Jesus (Defender)
- Mathías Olivera (Defender) (sub 89`)
- Frank Anguissa (Midfielder)
- Kevin De Bruyne (Midfielder)
- Scott McTominay (Midfielder) (sub 89`)
- Stanislav Lobotka (Midfielder) (sub 82`)
- Lorenzo Lucca (Attacker) (sub 82`)
- Matteo Politano (Attacker) (sub 76`)
Substitutes
Sassuolo
- Filippo Missori (Defender)
- Cristian Volpato (Midfielder)
- Giacomo Satalino (Goalkeeper)
- Gioele Zacchi (Goalkeeper)
- Edoardo Pieragnolo (Defender)
- Samuele Mulattieri (Attacker)
- Arijanet Muric (Goalkeeper)
Napoli
(Substitute information for Napoli was not fully provided in the source text.)
